Major developer behind Harrogate area's biggest housing project say 'mechanisms are in place to support delivery of infrastructure'
A Harrogate Green Party county councillor says he is worried that the controversial Maltkiln development may just lead to 3,000 new houses being built rather than a new community.
After much heated debate, the scheme by Wetherby-based property developer Caddick to create a ‘sustainable new village’ between Harrogate and York passed a major hurdle last August when it was approved by the Planning Inspectorate.
But concern has grown follow a meeting on Thursday, July 9 between developer Caddick, North Yorkshire Council, Kirk Hammerton Parish Council, Green Hammerton Parish Council, Whixley Parish Council and Hunsingore Parish Council.
Councillors, including Harrogate & Knaresborough Green Party's Coun Warneken, who represents the Ouseburn division at North Yorkshire Council, are questioning whether the infrastructure and services promised for what is the single largest allocation for housing in the Harrogate Local Plan will actually be delivered.
Putting pressure on North Yorkshire Council, Coun Warneken said: “Promises about community infrastructure must be kept.
"People understand that new homes are needed, but what they won't accept is getting the houses first and being told the schools, roads, sports facilities and other essential services might come later, if they come at all.
"Five of the 12 planned phases of the new settlement are on land that the company does not own.
"Residents accepted this development because they were promised a properly planned new community, not just houses - and they’ve spent years feeding into the overall plan.
"They're now being told that a significant part of that vision depends on land the developer doesn't control.”
Caddick said the meeting in July formed part of a series of regularly scheduled meetings with the parish councils, intended to keep local stakeholders updated and provide a forum for ongoing dialogue as the project progresses.
The company added that the "mechanisms were in place to support the delivery of the new settlement in terms of infrastructure”.
It is also of the view that there are plans for North Yorkshire Council to take the five remaining plots of land forward, if required.
Chris Procter, Director at Caddick, said: "This meeting formed one of a series of regular discussions with parish councils and stakeholders as proposals for Maltkiln continue to evolve.
"It provided an opportunity to discuss the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the mechanisms available to support the delivery of the new settlement over time.
"The Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been developed to identify the infrastructure, services and community facilities needed to support Maltkiln as it grows, and will continue to be refined through ongoing engagement with stakeholders.
"We recognise the importance of ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with new housing, which is why its delivery, phasing and timings will ultimately be secured through a Section 106 agreement, which will be in place prior to approval of the outline planning application.
"We remain committed to working closely with North Yorkshire Council, parish councils, local communities and other stakeholders as the proposals progress."
Centred around the existing Cattal railway station, as well as mixed-tenure homes, the new Maltkiln community is mean to have two primary schools, a mixed use local centre, and healthcare facilities and will take up to 30 years to develop.
The location for the new settlement was originally chosen in 2018 by the-then Harrogate Borough Council in order to meet the national demand for new homes.
Kirk Hammerton Parish Councillor Alex Smith said he remains concerned about whether Maltkin would actually get all the infrastructure,
“The purpose of the Development Plan was to replace uncertainty with a clear and deliverable framework,” he said.
"Instead, important questions remain unanswered and new ones are emerging.
"A school, sports hub or transport link shown on a masterplan is not the same as one that is controlled, funded and certain to be delivered.”
More information: https://maltkilnvillage.co.uk/