A residents group has spoken out against “unjustifiable planning creep” at a proposed 200-home development on the site of the former police training centre in Pannal Ash.
Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association’s comments came after the number of homes earmarked for the site on Yew Tree Lane increased from 161 to 200.
In 2018, Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission for 161 homes.
Ownership of the land was then transferred from the Home Office to Homes England, which is the government’s housing agency.
In June this year, Homes England submitted plans to add an extra 19 homes to the development.
Another planning application for the site was submitted by Homes England to Harrogate Borough Council earlier this month, increasing the number of homes to 200.
‘Exceeds need’
In a newsletter to residents, HAPARA said the new figure “far exceeds” the amount initially agreed.
“This is yet another example of unjustified planning creep in relation to sites across the west of Harrogate and this over-provision is not in accordance with the Local Plan as it far exceeds the identified housing need.”
The group also said the development would lead to congestion along Yew Tree Lane and surrounding streets, which it says is a “significant area of concern”.
It added:
“There is no commitment in the application to support public transport or cycling connectivity. Consequently movement to and from the site will be car reliant.”
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Homes England has said it wanted to remove a community football pitch in order to increase the total number of homes on the site to 200.
This was after Sport England and the Football Foundation advised it they thought the pitch was “unlikely” to be actively used.
To support Homes England’s application, a document from planning consultants Lichfields says the development would offer opportunities for sustainable travel.
It says:
“The site benefits from good quality, lit walkways, footways and cycle routes around the application site, providing safe and convenient routes to public transport and local facilities.”
For decades, police recruits from all over the UK came to the site in Harrogate to train. It closed in 2011 due to cost-cutting.
The public has until December 7 to submit comments about the application on the council website.
