Harrogate district business park refused permission to expand on green belt

The owners of the business park submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council last year claiming they should be granted "very special circumstances" to build on protected land in the centre of the site in order to meet pent up demand and boost the economy.

But the council's planning committee last week rejected the plans, with members saying they could not make an exception to green belt policies.

Speaking during a meeting on Thursday, councillor Pat Marsh said: "If we aren't ready to protect our green belt at this stage when there are no special circumstances then we are going to have it under threat."

Green belts were introduced in 1955 to stop cities from sprawling and countryside being spoilt.

About 13% of England is now covered, and green belt areas are meant to be permanently protected and only reviewed in exceptional circumstances.

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The application for Follifoot Ridge Business Park was for two new buildings which would have sat next to existing units previously allowed because they were classed as farm conversions.

Kim Eastwood, a planning agent for the business park, told the committee on Thursday that the development would have had little impact on the area because the green belt land is already surrounded by these existing units.

This was an argument echoed by ward councillor Andrew Paraskos who represents the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale ward and said: "This site is completely surrounded by other buildings. It has no impact on the open countryside and can only be seen from the side where trees are and from the access point.

"Normally I would support protecting open countryside but it doesn't really make sense in this case."

Mrs Eastwood also said the business park had received several inquiries from firms looking to move to the site and that companies already there were "desperate" to expand.

She said: "These businesses have been based at the park from two to 14 years and they range widely which is partly a testament to the success of the business park.

"This scheme presents an opportunity to provide additional commercial space which is confirmed by the council's economic development team to be very much in demand."

The committee voted seven votes for and one against to reject the expansion plans.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter