Knox Lane protest art displayed ahead of crunch meeting

Campaigners fighting 53 homes at Knox Lane in Harrogate have displayed some protest art ahead of a crunch hearing next week that will decide the scheme’s fate.

At an appeal hearing at Harrogate Civic Centre next week, a government-appointed planning inspector will consider overturning the council’s previous decision to refuse the homes.

Many objectors are unhappy with the loss of green space in an urban area and the Banksy-style artworks include slogans that focus on the potential environmental consequences.

Housing developer Jomast says the scheme will be a high-quality development for Harrogate and help deliver much-needed new homes.

At a meeting in September, councillors on the Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee gave three reasons for refusal which were an unacceptable impact on the local road network, a failure to promote sustainable travel and a negative impact on the special landscape area.

There have been more than 500 objections to the plans with residents claiming the development will destroy wildlife and a cherished green corner of the Harrogate suburb.

Normally at a planning appeal, the council would put forward an officer to defend the reasons for refusal.

But the council has taken legal advice and decided not to contest them.

The hearing is scheduled to begin on July 23. Jomast has confirmed it will bring five experts to argue its case and say why it believes the refusal should be overturned.

The meeting starts at 10am at the Harrogate Civic Centre and is open to the public.