Harrogate residents hit out at housing plans decisions held by video

This afternoon will see an application made by property developers Richborough Estates for 150-plus houses behind the Kingsley Farm development.

The plans were rejected by a planning meeting of Harrogate Borough Council before the lockdown for coronavirus called a halt to all council meetings in person.

The developers have since then resubmitted the pl;ans with 15 less houses.

Angry residents in the area between Bogs Lane, Knaresborough Road and Harrogate High School which has been the location for various plans for nearly 700 new houses in total, claim, in this case, the number is not really the issue.

They argue there is no suitable access to public transport which means almost all the houses will use cars on a daily basis increasing the already unsustainable traffic levels.

In advance of today's 'virtual' meeting of Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee, several members of Kingsley Ward Action Group have written to the Harrogate Advertiser saying that the way it is being handled is "undemocratic" and that it would be wrong if the previous council vote of 8-1 against was over-turned.

Gary Tremble said: "I think it is undemocratic to discuss matters that effect residents who are unable to either contribute or attend if they have no access to the internet, planning matters can surely wait until normal meetings can re commence."

Darren Long said: "During the previous Harrogate Borough Council planning meeting, the unanimous decision of 8-1 against the new housing development was passed, only to be overturned afterwards, you cannot help but question the ethics intentions of the planning department. "

John Hansard said: "Contrary to the recommended minimum distance for a development of 400m from public transport, the proposed Richborough site entrance is situated over twice that distance at about 1 km from the nearest bus stop and 1.3km from Starbeck railway station, making a complete mockery of housing development guidelines!"

Steve Marshall said: "The existing and much used public footpath has to be diverted but cannot be diverted across the railway bridge as, by law, it must be a minimum of 1.2m wide and the railway bridge is not wide enough for this, so will we lose this public right of way ?

"The geometry or layout of the road at this point would mean a very wide entrance “mouth” is needed.

"This puts in danger the very mature trees and hedge lines found adjacent the proposed access.

"Also there is a new 300mm pressurised rising water main here which will have to be exposed and protected.

"This is very risky and dangerous as the pressurised pipe might be damaged thereby threatening the water supply.

"The meeting outcome should be interesting especially if they turn around an 8-1 against vote by reducing the houses by a mere 15."

The Harrogate Advertiser asked Harrogate Borough Council for a comment before publishing this article.