Sherburn-in-Elmet: 330 homes planned despite concerns
Plans are being drawn up for 330 houses in a North Yorkshire town where community leaders have already raised concerns about the amount of housing being built in the area.
Housebuilder Miller Homes has submitted details of a proposed development on land east of Milford Road on the edge of Sherburn-in-Elmet.
As well as the housing, the scheme would include associated infrastructure, roads, landscaping and other supporting works on a 12-hectare site.
The developer submitted a screening opinion request to North Yorkshire Council, with the authority advising that an environmental impact assessment was not needed.
The council said that while the proposal exceeded the threshold at which environmental impacts must be considered, it was not likely to have significant effects on the environment.
The site is located on agricultural land and partly includes areas within Flood Zones 2 and 3.
However, planning officers noted that no residential development is expected within the higher-risk flood areas, with homes intended to be located in Flood Zone 1.
The council’s assessment considered a range of potential impacts, including the loss of agricultural land, traffic, noise, air quality, biodiversity, flood risk and the effect on nearby residents.
Officers concluded that any impacts arising during construction or occupation of the development could be mitigated through planning conditions and standard construction management measures.
The site lies close to existing housing and an adjacent residential development which has already received planning permission.
Officers also noted that further housing proposals are under consideration elsewhere in the Sherburn-in-Elmet and South Milford area.
Last year, Sherburn in Elmet Town Council wrote an open letter to senior officers and councillors at North Yorkshire Council, claiming the town was facing unsustainable levels of housing growth without the infrastructure needed to support it.
Councillors said Sherburn had already exceeded its housing target by around 66p cent, with 1,417 homes delivered or approved since 2011 against a requirement for 790.
They warned that a further four proposed developments could add around 950 more homes.
The council argued that housing growth has outpaced investment in roads, schools, healthcare and leisure facilities, leaving local services under increasing pressure.
Councillors cited concerns over school places, GP capacity, the lack of NHS dental provision and ongoing highway issues.
The screening opinion is not a planning decision but forms part of the preparatory work ahead of the submission of a formal planning application for the development.