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19

Aug 2020

Last Updated: 19/08/2020
Housing
Housing

Road through Granby park a 'hammerblow' for nearby residents

by Thomas Barrett

| 19 Aug, 2020
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A road through a park on the former site of Harrogate Rugby Club will destroy a green space that has been a lifeline to residents during lockdown, according to a local residents group.

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A road through a park on the former site of Harrogate Rugby Club will destroy a green space that has been a lifeline to people during lockdown, according to a local residents group.

Richborough Estates and housebuilder Redrow have submitted plans for 95 homes to be built on Granby Farm which is next to the park. The site is designated for development within Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan.

The plans include an access road which cuts through Pickering Gardens, a park that was created when the former Harrogate Rugby Ground was redeveloped.

When HBC granted planning permission for Redrow to develop the rugby ground in 2013, a legal document called a Section 106 agreement was attached to it that said the green space must be protected as an amenity for the residents.

Members of the local resident's association told the Stray Ferret that the access road proposal is a "hammerblow" as many bought the properties on the assumption that the park would not be developed.

They've called on Harrogate Borough Council to reject the application.



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Jane Tankard from the Devonshire Gardens Residents Association said she fears the Section 106 agreement to protect the land is "not worth the paper it's written on".

Mark Tordoff, chairman of the group, told the Stray Ferret that the park has been "keeping residents sane" during lockdown.

Mr Tordoff said that since the green space opened at the beginning of 2019 it's regularly used for community events, sports and socialising between residents.

Sarah Carr, land and planning director for Redrow in Yorkshire, told the Stray Ferret:

"The proposed access is via our existing Devonshire Gardens development and cuts through a small section of the public open space. We were aware at the time of the potential for future development so made sure that this was clearly visible in our marketing materials for Devonshire Gardens, as well as briefing purchasers at the point of reservation.”


The plans are due to go before Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee next month.