Priority goes to locals for homes

LOCAL people who face being driven out of a North Yorkshire community by a lack of affordable housing will be the first to benefit from long-term plans to create nearly 1,000 homes.

A scheme called Sowerby Gateway has been chosen as Hambleton District Council's preferred option for development within the Local Development Framework over the next 20 years.

The proposals, which have raised eye brows due to their scale, cleared a major hurdle last month, when the outline development of the site was approved by the Government's Planning Inspectorate. Now Colburn-based developer Castlevale has teamed up with social landlord Broadacres to submit a planning application for the first 108 energy-efficient homes, plus shops and businesses to create jobs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The developers say the scheme is the largest to be considered by Hambleton District Council.

Company bosses say Castlevale has worked closely with the community through a two-day public consultation exhibition, followed by several meetings with local residents and feedback through its website. Managing director Martin Foster said: "The last few months have been an important and enlightening process for us, allowing us to share our vision with the Sowerby and Thirsk community whilst providing an accessible platform for everybody to communicate their ideas and views on our plans for the site."

The plans have evolved through this, with ideas from the community taken on board, he added.

"A huge amount of thought, planning and consideration has gone into our proposals to ensure we are in a position to provide the best quality development to meet the needs of both Hambleton District Council and the local community," he continued.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The detailed application includes plans for phase one of the Sowerby Gateway development, which will see the creation of 108 new energy-efficient homes. Castlevale is working with Broadacres to ensure people with local connections are first in the queue.

All affordable homes will be reserved for those who either live in the area currently, have done so for five out of the past 10 years, have close family in the area or a permanent work contract with a local employer.

There are also plans for a neighbourhood centre in Topcliffe Road, with local shops and business units nearby, alongside an outline location of a new primary school and a large allocation of green space.

The open space has been earmarked for numerous playing fields, public spaces and other leisure facilities. Footpaths and cycleways will run throughout the green space to provide links to the new neighbourhood facility and local schools.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition, a full transport assessment has been undertaken and plans are moving forward to improve existing routes and add an internal loop road to serve the residential development, according to development director Terry Davies.

He added: "We have focused on important issues such as transport and the environment and will apply the same high level of commitment and attention to detail to every aspect of the project.

"The design of the new homes will be individual and sympathetic to the local style of building and we have safeguarded a great deal of green space to protect the village feel of the project.

"We want to work hard with local residents to create a community that feels established almost as soon as it is built."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Castlevale has done a 750,000 feasibility study into the transport, environmental and energy impact of the project.

The proposals will be available for viewing at www.hambleton.gov.uk. More information can be obtained at www.sowerbygateway.co.uk