Development ‘stifled by local plan’ says business body

Members of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce have organised a meeting amid accusations the proposed Local Plan has an “inadequate” allocation of land for the expansion of major enterprise.

The chamber’s chief executive, Brian Dunsby, claimed the district has several significant employers who have successful and expanding businesses that will need adequate sites for development as the economy emerges from the recession.

He said the safety product specialists Lindam had moved to a new site near Wetherby because a suitable location could not be found in the Harrogate district.

Mr Dunsby added: “This will happen again as things stand which will have a profound impact on the local economy. There seems little point in building more houses without also providing more jobs in the area.”

But Harrogate Borough Council maintained it is seeking to allocate “significant amounts of employment land” in Harrogate itself as well as Pannal, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge.

A spokeswoman said more than 70 acres of land is due to be provided to cope with commercial development over the next decade – an area the equivalent to more than 30 football pitches. The land is anticipated to be available for development by the middle of next year after an independent planning inspector has examined the final draft of the proposed Local Plan.

The spokeswoman stressed work is underway to update the council’s evidence on the “demand for and supply of employment land” and consultations will be held with organisations including the Chamber.

The event for business leaders to discuss the alleged inadequacies in the proposed Local Plan will be held today at 5.30pm at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate.

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