Fears that Harrogate homes plan will leave area ‘overdeveloped’

Hundreds of people have objected to outline plans to build on land in Harrogate in a move which they say will lead to the “over development” of the area and which they say will be “highly visible” from viewpoints surrounding the spa town.

Woodard Corporation, Hallam Management Ltd and Persimmon Homes are seeking outline permission to build 600 homes, a primary school and community/retail facilities at Penny Pot Lane, on the outskirts of Harrogate.

Coun Don Mackenzie said: “This would be the biggest extension to the boundaries of Harrogate for many, many years.

“I will be going to the planning committee meeting next Tuesday on behalf of the hundreds of residents who have contacted me.”

Coun Mackenzie, Saltergate county councillor, added he believes the application should be refused, principally on the grounds that “the developers are jumping the gun” because a decision is set to be taken before Harrogate District Council’s planning blueprint, which lays out sites suitable for possible development over the coming years, has been formally adopted.

He is also concerned the infrastructure including highways will be unable to cope: “The direct route into town, along Penny Pot Lane and over the ancient, Grade II listed Oakdale Bridge, is unsuited to large numbers of additional traffic movements.”

Officers are recommending that councillors back the plans, pending an agreement reached with officers on planning conditions.

Harrogate District Council’s planning committee, which meets on Tuesday to consider the application, has received 260 objections and an e-petition with 203 signatures opposing the application.

Opponents say the scale and density of the development is too high, other smaller sites should be developed, the site is too far from Harrogate centre and does not have easy access to services, shops and employment.

Objectors include Harrogate Civic Society and Killinghall Parish Council with the parish council saying brownfield sites should be developed first, the roads network will be unable to cope and they warn it represents “excessive urban development in a rural setting”.

Coun Anne Holdsworth, chair of Killinghall Parish Council said yesterday there were concerns about the scale of the development and the lack of adequate 
access to the site and other services.

“It’s enormous, it’s a small town,” she said.

In a report to members, officers warn, however, that the council’s supply of housing sites falls just short of the required five years as required by the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and say: “In the absence of a five year housing land supply the council must consider the advice contained within the NPPF, which creates a presumption in favour of sustainable development.”

It says that councillors may feel the application is “premature” but officers say Government guidance indicates that refusal on grounds of prematurity “will not usually be justified”.

The site will include affordable housing.

The applicant has created a travel plan and the report says that the developer will be required to carry out a number of improvements including putting in traffic signals.

Officers believe that Penny Pot Lane will be able to deal with the increase in traffic.

The application also includes the creation of a bus link from the northern end of the site into the Jenny Fields estate and officers say the applicant will also endeavour to provide cycle and pedestrian links to Killinghall Moor Country Park.

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