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19
Nov
Latest housing plans for Kingsley area of Harrogate rejected
North Yorkshire Council has rejected the latest plans to build 25 homes in the Kingsley area of Harrogate.
Felliscliffe-based Quarters Kingsley Ltd received outline planning permission for the Kingsley Farm development in January last year, which means the principle of development has been established.
But the council still had to approve the separate reserved matters planning application, which gives details of the site layout, design and appearance, before the scheme could proceed.
A council decision notice published this week revealed the reserved matters application had been rejected.
Trevor Watson, the council's assistant director for planning, cited several areas of concern.
Mr Watson said the plans did not demonstrate “acceptable access” and that the layout, appearance, scale and design “are not considered to reflect the principles of good design”.
He said the proposed development does not provide “an acceptable housing mix” or “acceptable tree planting within the site that safeguards the future health of the trees”.
He added:
Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the scheme has fully considered level changes, breaches of root protection areas and impact upon existing trees along the northern and eastern boundaries.
Insufficient affordable housing is proposed and the site has been sub-divided into smaller development parcels to avoid the requirements of policy HS2.
Policy HS2 refers to the requirement for 40% affordable housing.
The drainage strategy and safeguards to the northern boundary hedge and trees were also criticised.
Quarters Kingsley outlined its plans at a drop-in session last year in Starbeck, which the Stray Ferret attended. You can read our report here.
David Williams speaking at the council meeting that granted outline planning permission last year.
Architect Nigel Jacques said at the time: "We want to provide a true community site that cuts across age and financial stature." Development director David Williams added: "We are a local developer with a genuine and sincere desire to deliver something unique."
The homes are due to be built on the site of the former chicken farm at Kingsley Farm. Access would be provided by a new road off Kingsley Road and also off Hawthorn Place.
Some 600 new houses have been approved in the Kingsley area in recent years.
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