Two creative siblings have put up posters and written poems to protest against a housing development on Harrogate’s Knox Lane.
North-east property developer Jomast wants to build 53 homes on a field off Knox Lane in a green corner of Bilton that residents cherish.
Jasmine Stoyles, 7, and her brother Francis, 11, both go to Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School in Bilton.
They live close to where the homes could be built and enjoy admiring the deer, birds and other wildlife in the green fields.
But they fear the idyllic scene won’t be there when they grow up.
Mum Caroline said the threat of development inspired the kids to get their pens out and protest. Over the weekend they put up posters and poems on trees and a notice board nearby.
Jasmine’s poem says it’s a “horrible sight looking at concrete and cement” and Francis’ poem pleads “see the trees that grew up there, soon it will be all bare”.
Ms Stoyles said:
“We just appreciated all through lockdown how many people come here. It’s a lovely place to be.
“To lose that connection to the countryside would totally change the nature of the area.”
Jasmine’s poem is below:
“Spring is a lovely time, but not when people are killing nature,
“People do not care about nature anymore because they are looking at their toes,
“Wrens and other birds are going to lose their homes because they are cutting down the trees,
“It is a horrible sight looking at concrete and cement,
“Nothing can replace Harrogate’s space.”
Read more:
Developer reduces Knox Lane scheme from 73 to 53 homes
A developer has reduced the size a proposed housing development on Knox Lane in Bilton from 73 to 53 homes.
Jomast‘s initial plans to build the homes in April last year generated objections from over 200 people.
Those opposing the scheme criticised the number of homes on the site and questioned how the narrow Knox Lane would cope with the increased volume of traffic.
Harrogate Borough Council‘s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place in the district, says 52 homes should be built on the site, which sits on arable land adjacent to Oak Beck.
Knox Lane
Critics of the initial scheme included Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, who said part of the land Jomast wanted to build on was prone to flooding.
Yorkshire Water also submitted an objection to the plans, which it said did not properly accommodate a sewerage system running across the site.
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Jomast said in planning documents that its resubmitted smaller plans included 34 semi-detached and three detached homes, 12 apartments and four terraced homes. A total of 30 homes would be classed as “affordable”.
To alleviate flooding concerns, Jomast would install hydro-brakes, which are machines that control water flow near rivers. It would also install underground storage tanks to hold water in the event of a major storm.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee will decide on the proposal at a later date.