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Apr 2023

Last Updated: 11/04/2023

Community

Residents rally against new Crimple Valley housing plans

by Vicky Carr

| 11 Apr, 2023

Residents on the south side of Harrogate are rallying against another application to build housing on the edge of a treasured stretch of countryside.

The Save Crimple Valley group is urging people to object to plans for 17 homes at the bottom of Almsford Bank, just off Leeds Road.

A message put out by the group said:

"If you have already commented on this application in the past, please reaffirm your objections to this development by commenting again.

"This site has already been turned down and applications withdrawn or refused on multiple occasions - but the developers are persistent and will get their way if not stopped. Because this is a new application all previous comments are disregarded."

Residents say access to and from the site via the A61 would be dangerous, while the housing itself would spoil the area.

The application site includes an area that has been used as stables for many years, but it is not included in the local plan, which guides development across the Harrogate district.

The development boundary in red and housing areas in orange, with the owners' land outlined in blue

Since plans were published at the end of March, 22 objections have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council. Nearby resident Penny Robinson said:

"It is sad that I find myself having to object to this building plan again. This area has been repeatedly refused planning permission to build on, so it is not clear why this application is even being considered.

"All the reasons stated in the last rejection in November 2022 have not changed... The local plan doesn't need these houses, they are just a money making venture. The same objections stand as they did since the first application to build several years ago."

Developers resubmit plan for new homes in Crimple Valley

Controversial plan for 35 homes in Crimple Valley rejected

The current application by Antela Developments Ltd and Square Feet Ltd is significantly reduced compared to the first, submitted in 2018, for 65 homes. That plan was withdrawn by the applicants, along with an application for 35 homes submitted the following year.

In 2022, a proposal for 35 homes, including self-build plots, was turned down by Harrogate Borough Council.

'High standard housing'

The latest application is for 10 self-build homes and seven affordable homes. In documents submitted as part of the application, the developers said:

"The form and massing of the new houses will be designed in response to the topography of the site, taking influence from the surrounding context.

"The introduction of self and custom build homes will allow each house to be individually designed but each plot will be set out in response to the natural landform."

They added:

"The houses will be built to a high standard with quality natural local materials to help integrate within the landscape. It is proposed that traditional principles of rural design will be adopted within the design, with the addition of subtle contemporary details in order to distinguish the new development from earlier buildings within the surrounding context.

"This will ensure continuity of the local vernacular and harmonious integration into the existing setting."

However, many of those objecting have said they would not accept any number of homes on the site, which they argue is unsuitable for development.

Another local resident, Victoria Draper, wrote:

"We do not want our beautiful, local countryside ripping up to make way for unnecessary, expensive, unsightly houses. We bought our house in the local vicinity so we could enjoy family walks and explore nature with our young daughter.

"The increase in traffic and subsequent danger with additional junctions, on an already extremely busy main road, cannot go ahead. We are such a depleted country in terms of wildlife, we should be trying to increase our natural areas, not reduce them. This cannot go ahead."

To view or comment on the plans before the deadline of April 23, visit the planning pages of North Yorkshire Council's website and use reference 23/01082/OUTMAJ.

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Residents rally against new Crimple Valley housing plans

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'High standard housing'