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13
Jun 2023
Residents object to plans for new Knaresborough development
About 30 Knaresborough residents and the town council have objected to plans to build nine flats on the site of one of the town's oldest houses and its garden.
Paul Franklin has submitted plans to demolish the property and build the homes on land off Stockwell Road.
Mr Franklin said the scheme would "provide local people a quality and sustainable place to live and enjoy Knaresborough".
But some 30 objections have been made to the North Yorkshire Council, which will approve or reject the application. The decision will either be made by the council's planning committee, which consists of elected councillors, or by an individual planning officer.
The objectors include Knaresborough Town Council, which said in its submission the development would be "overbearing and will overlook neighbouring properties particularly gardens affecting other residents privacy", create parking problems and increase congestion.
It added trees were removed from the site during nesting season and the application was "not sufficiently different from the previous one" refused in 2007.
Its concluded:
A group of residents recently asked to meet the Stray Ferret at the site to voice their concerns.
Estelle Green, whose garden on St Margaret's Road has traditionally overlooked trees, now faces the prospect of neighbours being able to see into her home. She said:
The green area where the flats would be built.
Ann Briscoe agreed, adding:
Tony Sandland said traffic problems and pollution were major concerns, along with fears that concreting over the garden would increase the risk of flooding.
The objections submitted on the council website include concerns about the scheme worsening "gridlock across the railway bridge" on Stockwell Road, the "inadequate" number of parking places in a residential area close to the town centre, a GP surgery and schools.
There is also concern about the loss of the current stone building, which one objector says is "steeped in history, farming, once a bakery and many years ago a sweetshop".
Another objection says the size of the proposed three-storey development, overlooking two-storey properties, "is completely out of proportion and would lead not only to a loss of privacy but to a significant loss in natural light".
There are fears the development will heighten parking difficulties on adjoining St Margaret's Road.
'Quality and sustainable places to live'
A design and access statement submitted as part of the planning process said the applicant has identified a need for housing in the specific area and "the proposals will have no detrimental effect to the surrounding properties".
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Franklin to respond to concerns. He said:
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