This how many houses are being built in Harrogate area of Kingsley

Such is the level of anger in the tightly-packed residential streets between Bogs Lane, Knaresborough Road and Harrogate High School, there have even been reports of verbal exchanges at times between residents and lorry drivers.

Under pressure from the construction of nearly 700 new houses in just more than 12 months, residents are wilting under the strain of dirt, noise, roadworks and road closures, and the regular comings and goings of large lorries.

Having set up the Kingsley Ward Action Group last year, residents have been complained to the local authorities,as well as housing developers, not just about the amount of new housing developments planned but also about the dirt and disruption caused on a daily basis by HGV lorries in their over-crowded streets.

As a result. Harrogate council has recently drawn up enforcement orders in respect of three of the housing developers and the disruption caused.

And North Yorkshire County Council says an “improved cleansing regime” for lorries in the area has been introduced which has led to a reduction in complaints.

But residents say none of the proposals will improve their lives in the face of the two over-arching issues - the sheer volume of house building and the inevitable increase in car traffic in an area whose only link to the rest of town is the already congested Knaresborough Road.

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New housing developments in Kingsley area

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)

House building in the Kingsley area: What the developers say

A statement issued this week on behalf of Barratt Homes, Persimmon and Stonebridge - the three developers in the Kingsley area - says: “As part of an ongoing commitment to support the communities in which it builds, Barratt Homes, Persimmon Homes and Stonebridge Homes have responded to resident’s complaints regarding the Kingsley Road area in Harrogate. Following a meeting last year with both the North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, the three housebuilders have been working together to ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained on Kingsley Road.

“Processes have been put in place to respond to residents’ complaints, including regular road sweeping, and an additional high-pressure water jet service each Friday to prepare the road for an increase in traffic over the weekend. All three housebuilders have made a request for heavy goods vehicles to take an alternative route, avoiding Bogs Lane Bridge.

“Significant contributions to local infrastructure, including education, highways and public open space have been made by each housebuilder as part of an agreement to ensure the local community benefits, not only from an increase in homes and jobs but also from a substantial investment in the area.”

Harrogate's 'road from hell' leaves unhappy residents calling for action