Councillors have voted to approve 135 homes on the site of a former farm off Skipton Road in Harrogate.
The proposals by Rowan Green Developments Ltd will see the homes built at Cow Dyke Farm near Jennyfields.
The land is allocated for housing in the council’s local plan and the scheme was recommended for approval in a report.
The majority of the homes will have between one and three bedrooms and 54 are expected to be classed as affordable.
Chris Calvert spoke on behalf of the developer at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee this afternoon.
He said the application met all of the council’s planning requirements.
Mr Calvert said:
“The site is within development limits for Harrogate. It’s been assessed by the local authority to be a suitable and deliverable site for new homes on the edge of Harrogate.
“It will be a high-quality and sustainable development ”
Cow Dyke Farm. Image: Rowan Green Developments Ltd.
Councillors visited the site this morning where concerns were raised about the current 40mph speed limit for motorists on Skipton Road.
Hundreds of homes have been built nearby in recent years and Tesco has planning permission to build a new supermarket close to the site.
Cllr Robert Windass (Conservative, Boroughbridge and Claro) asked if the speed limit on the nearby section of Skipton Road could be lowered to 30mph.
He said he saw a woman cross the road this morning with a pushchair, adding:
“40mph was maybe OK when there was no housing there, but I now think it’s inappropriate.”
However, his request was knocked back by a council transport officer who said the 40mph limit was appropriate.
North Yorkshire Council has asked the developer to pay a one-off contribution of £161,906 towards Killinghall Village Hall and £76,347 for improvements at Jennyfields recreation play area.
This led Terry Jones, representing the 72 objectors, to say the developer was offering a “paltry sum” towards local services.
Mr Jones said:
“You all seem to assume it’s going ahead. It’s probably a waste of time objecting, but it’s interesting to see the impact on local services. To employ extra doctors, dentists, teachers, it costs money every year.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans but a reserved matters application that deals with the scheme’s appearance and landscape will come before the planning committee at a future meeting before homes can be built.
Cllr Windass added:
“It looks to be a sympathetic approach to development on this land. I hope when they come back at reserved matters, the sympathy of the site is maintained and improved on.”
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Pharmacy closure prompts concerns about future of Jennyfields retail
Jennyfields residents have expressed concerns about the forthcoming closure of the Boots pharmacy in the Co-op.
The Stray Ferret reported last month Boots planned to close 300 UK stores, with those in close proximity to other sites run by the company most at risk.
But the loss of the facility has upset locals — and heightened fears about the future of retail in Jennyfields, where many shops are shut.
The nearest Boots pharmacies will be in Harrogate town centre, Knaresborough Market Place, St James’s Retail Park and Market Place West in Ripon when the one in Jennyfields closes.
Freda Roach, a nearby resident, described the loss of the pharmacy as a “great blow to the local community” and a “retrograde step”, adding:
“[The pharmacy] is used by a great number of Jennyfields people who do not have a car and use the bus or walk.
“I for one will be very upset when the branch is closed as the nearest pharmacy is not in walking distance, and relying on buses will make it half a day’s job having to travel into Harrogate.”
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Another Jennyfields resident, David Smith, said the move was “ridiculous”.
He said:
“I have been going there for prescriptions for at least 30 years. It is always busy and recently you usually have to queue.
“In addition, I understand that the next nearest surgery at Killinghall is closing.
“We are going backwards rather than forwards.”
‘A popular and busy pharmacy’
Councillor Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on North Yorkshire Council, was also “disappointed” by the news.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I was very disappointed to hear that Boots intend to close the pharmacy located in the Jennyfields Co-op – and I have asked the public health team at the council to consider what representations we need to make to NHS England, who are responsible for ensuring pharmacy provision is adequate.
“This is a very popular and busy pharmacy.”
Three out of four units are closed at the Jennyfield Drive site.
One Stray Ferret social media follower commented to say the centre used to be a “thriving little area”. But three out of four units on the Jennyfield Drive site, as well as the Stone Beck pub, are closed.
The prospect of a new Tesco supermarket a mile away has also fuelled concerns about the future of retail in Jennyfields.
But Cllr Harrison said:
“Jennyfields is a vibrant housing estate, and is more than capable of supporting quality businesses in this location – I am keen to understand what the landlords’ plans are to ensure the future attractiveness and viability of the units.”
A spokesperson for the Co-op said the use of the space occupied by the pharmacy is “being reviewed” and “no decisions have been taken at this stage”.
Twenty UK Boots stores have already closed in line with the new plan – four of which are in Yorkshire.
Boots declined to comment on the Jennyfields closure when approached by the Stray Ferret. But staff at the pharmacy told the Stray Ferret they have been “given options” about employment going forward.
Police release CCTV image after Harrogate bike theftPolice have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after the theft of a bike in Jennyfields.
The incident happened outside the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre on Jenny Field Drive at 10.45am on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
The victim locked his electric bike in the bike rack and when they returned they discovered that the bike had been stolen.
A North Yorkshire Police statement added:
“Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to, as he may have information that could help the investigation.
“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email stephen.mangham@northyorkshire.police.uk You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Stephen Mangham.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230192233.”
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