Seven neighbouring parish councils have jointly raised concerns about the quality of the proposed new town in the Harrogate district.
Harrogate Borough Council is running a six-week consultation until November 14 on plans to create a new settlement called Maltkiln, which will be roughly the size of Thirsk. Up to 4,000 homes could be built.
The consultation sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how the site is designed and developed and proceeds any formal planning application.
Parish councils representing Moor Monkton, Nun Monkton, Tockwith, Whixley, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton, Hunsingore, Great Ribston with Walshford and Cattal met last week to consider a joint response.
A summary of their response describes the documents residents are being urged to comment on as “technical and jargon-heavy”.
The summary acknowledges “major development is coming to the area” but adds Harrogate Borough Council’s development plan document “doesn’t provide a sound framework for delivering the ‘exemplar’ new settlement that’s required; nor does it address with sufficient care the implications for nearby villages”.
There are also concerns about the extent to which a genuine consultation is taking place for the new town, the name for which was chosen by developers Caddick without consultation with residents.
The summary says:
“Residents have raised concerns that the consultation process itself hasn’t been inclusive. Despite its far-reaching implications, there have been no in-person exhibition/public-hall meetings about the development plan document.
“The development plan document documents and response forms themselves are difficult to navigate, potentially preventing many residents from taking part.”
Read more:
- Council faces calls to hold in-person Maltkiln consultation events
- Ouseburn councillor opens Green Party conference in Harrogate
Alex Smith, a spokesman for the councils, said:
“There are several important areas — the development framework itself, transport, flooding — where the development plan document offers a wish-list, not deliverable policies backed up by evidence.”
Mr Smith said the speed at which the development was being considered, five months before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished, had “added to the confusion” and the development plan document felt “premature”. He added:
“It’s about meeting a political objective and getting outline approval for the Caddick application before the council is disbanded on April 1 — not about making sure that we get the best possible development for the future generations who will live in, and near it.”
Concerns about transport, flooding and schools
Arnold Warneken
Arnold Warneken, a Green councillor who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, also attended the parish councils’ meeting.
He said many residents had concerns about issues such as transport, flooding and education and “a combined voice” was more powerful. Cllr Warneken added:
“The consultation process has been questioned by residents for lots of reasons wondering why it was so arms-length and not at all easy to understand or comment on by those residents not at ease with planning terminology and also those who struggle with computers and emails
“I think this coalition of councils is showing how a community can come together for the good of the wider community.”
Flooding expected in Hunsingore as red alert issued
A red flooding alert has been issued for the River Nidd at Hunsingore and residents have been told to activate their flood defences.
The government’s flood information service issued a warning at 9.27am this morning as Storm Bella ramps up.
The red alert says “flooding is expected – immediate action is required”.
According to the government site the water level is currently 1.45m but it is expected to rise to 1.8 this morning. The River Nidd levels have continued to climb during the night, with flooding levels in place across the Harrogate district.
The alert suggests low lying roads near the River Nidd may already be flooded and drivers should plan alternative routes.
The government alert says:
“We do not currently have an accurate forecast for the peak level at Hunsingore. However, upstream levels have peaked and are now starting to fall.
“Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
“Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers and stay away from fast moving water. We are closely monitoring the situation and will update this message in 8 hours or as the situation changes.”
Read more:
- Flooding puts houses in danger in Pannal and Masham.
- It was almost a white Christmas for the Harrogate district.
Higher upstream in Pateley Bridge, warnings are still in place for upper River Nidd.
Nationally, 196 flood alerts are in place, along with 115 flood warnings and two severe flood warnings, where there is a risk to life.
The River Nidd in the east of Knaresborough has burst its bank this morning. The area near Vantage Toyota has been badly affected.
A local resident has told the Stray Ferret that nobody has been evacuated yet and the flooding hasn’t reached any of the houses.