MP raises concerns over housing plans next to ‘isolated’ Army Foundation College
The Harrogate and Knaresborough MP is set to meet with defence ministers to discuss potential security concerns to the Army Foundation College from plans for a large housing development next door.
Redrow Homes Yorkshire is seeking outline planning permission for up to 285 homes on farmland west of Oaker Bank, near Penny Pot Lane, directly east of the college.
Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon raised the case with Defence Readiness Minister Luke Pollard in the House of Commons.
Mr Gordon said: “It is an isolated site west of Harrogate, yet we have seen proposals for over 280 homes to be built immediately next to it.
“Given that the minister has outlined concerns about the protection of sites and the threats posed to them, what steps is the MoD (Ministry of Defence) taking with other departments and North Yorkshire Council on the security and protection of places like the AFC?”
Mr Pollard pledged to arrange a meeting with Veterans Minister Calvin Bailey to discuss the case.
He added: “We should be aware that right around our country, there are communities next to our bases that care passionately about the security of those bases and actively contribute to it.”
Following the exchange, Mr Gordon said: “The Army Foundation College is a relatively isolated site at the moment, and that matters for its security.
“Any plan to build hundreds of homes right next to it needs to be thought through very carefully.
“These latest plans come on top of an additional 1000 homes proposed for nearby. There are sites that are far more suitable than this one, which would limit the expansion of the AFC and pose security concerns.
“The minister himself recognised that local communities care passionately about the security of these bases, and Harrogate is no different.
“The armed forces are a crucial part of our community here. I welcome the offer of a meeting, and I’ll be following this process every step of the way.”
According to a design and access statement submitted with the latest application, the development would be concentrated mainly in the northern part of the site, leaving a large area of green space to the south.
A central green corridor would run through the development, incorporating walking routes.
The developer says existing trees and hedgerows would be retained wherever possible, with additional planting and measures intended to achieve at least a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain.
A sustainable drainage system, including an attenuation basin, would also be incorporated to manage surface water.
Vehicles would enter the development from Oaker Bank, while pedestrian and cycle connections would be provided throughout the site.
The applicant describes its vision as creating a “distinctive, landscape-led residential neighbourhood” shaped by the site’s natural features and surroundings.
The plans have already undergone pre-application discussions with North Yorkshire Council.
Council officers raised concerns about aspects of an earlier illustrative layout, including the arrangement of buildings, car-dominated streets and the integration of landscaping and drainage features.
The design statement says these issues have informed the development of the proposals.