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27
Jan 2022
Scrapping Pannal cycle lane 'ludicrous', says cycling group
A decision to scrap a legal agreement for a housing developer to build a cycle lane in Pannal has been described as “ludicrous”.
Bellway Homes had agreed to build the cycle lane on Leeds Road when its 128-home development at the former Dunlopillo factory site was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in 2017.
But the Section 106 agreement has now been scrapped by the council in favour of a £189,000 contribution from the developers after the cycle lane costs increased to almost £1m due to new government guidance on design standards.
Kevin Douglas, chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the decision as “ludicrous” and said the developers should be made to fulfil their agreement.
He said:
'We need these links'
Mr Douglas also said cycle links in outskirt areas like Pannal should be seen as a priority to make the most of larger projects including the £10.9 million Harrogate Gateway.
He added:
The decision to scrap the agreement was made at a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday after a recommendation from officers.
Kate Broadbank, housing officer at the council, told the committee it “would not be reasonable” to make the developers build the cycle lane given the increased costs.
Read more:
- First section of Otley Road cycle lane due to be finished this week
- Housing developer can ‘no longer afford’ to pay for Leeds Road cycle path
North Yorkshire County Council, which is responsible for highways, had also agreed to the decision prior to the meeting and is now drawing up proposals for wider improvements in Pannal using the £189,000 agreed alongside other contributions.
Paul Thornton, planning manager at Bellway Homes, said the company believed these wider plans would be of more benefit to the area.
He said:
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