YP Letters: Plans for 3,000 new homes leave villagers fearing future

RESIDENTS in Green Hammerton are extremely upset with how Harrogate Borough Council is handling the decision to turn our small village into a town.

The council booked the village hall months ago when they ‘were still deciding’. When a consultation involves inviting developers, it doesn’t take a genius to work out you are being bulldozed, told you have no say and tough if you don’t like it.

If Ms Rebecca Burnett, head of planning, wishes to properly engage with our residents, she needs to come and speak with them personally. I suggest she uses the train and walks the mile or so from the station on the unlit grass verge into the village. But time it well. Don’t expect to be back in time for lunch, it doesn’t run over that period and if making a later visit, just be mindful they stop running before your favourite programmes are on the TV.

This area does not need 3,000 extra houses. They also have plans to expand it even further after that. We currently have 280 houses in the village. Builders are already here building other approved sites, these will nearly double the size of it. We are already doing our bit. Our limited resources are already under pressure. And she is surprised that feelings are running high?