Housing developer in Harrogate suspends building work at controversial site

Housebuilder Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, which includes the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes brands, has announced the temporary closure of its 18 developments, as well as all of its sales and head office, as a result of the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Among those sites across the region, is Harrogate-based development Kingsley Meadows, the focus of an increasingly bitter campaign by neighbouring residents.

The housebuilder has taken the decision to halt operations to ensure the safety of its customers and employees following a statement from Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, which called for all non-essential businesses to close to help contain the coronavirus.

Daniel Smith, Managing Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East, said: “The health and safety of customers and employees is our number one priority and we took the decision last week to temporarily close our 18 offices and sites across the region. We have shut down safely and securely but as quickly as possible.”

People 'irresponsible' for ignoring social distancing rules says North Yorks police candidates

But members of Kingsley Ward Action Group still have plenty to work on...

The Kingsley Meadows housing development is just one of seven separate building sites in the triangle between Bogs Lane, Kingsley Drive and Knaresborough Road adding up to at least 700 new homes in this urban area.

Kingsley area house building list

1: Stonebridge Homes, Kingsley Farm: 57 houses being built (H47).

2: Stonebridge Homes, Kingsley Farm: Continuation of development + 60 more homes (H47).

3: Barratt Homes, Kingsley Meadows: 101 homes being built.

4: Persimmon Homes, land off Kingsley Drive: 26 homes, site being prepared (H21).

5: Persimmon Homes, land off Kingsley Drive: 244 homes, planning permission sought (H21).

6: Richborough Estates, 2nd field North of Kingsley Drive: 170 homes.

7: Richborough Estates, Kingsley Drive (top end) Granby Farm: 90 homes, awaiting permission (H22)

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you