Residents' joy as major Harrogate housing development rejected after year-long campaign

Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee has today refused Richborough Estates' scheme for 149 homes on Kingsley Road.

The plans - first submitted in June last year - have faced sharp opposition from locals who say they have already faced months of "misery" from the hundreds of homes being built in the area.

It was the third time the proposals were put under the noses of councillors today and despite the site being recommended for approval, it was voted down following pleas for refusal from residents.

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Resident John Hansard said the development would have effectively created a"mini village" in the middle of Harrogate, with the Kingsley area already facing the construction of almost 700 homes.

He added: "To our disgust the council solicitor has twice warned against rejecting this as it is in the Local Plan. This area is seriously flawed and should have never been included."

During a meeting lost month, councillors had been preparing a case to reject the scheme until they were reminded it is included in the council’s Local Plan and voted for a deferral.

Councillors today took a more defiant stance against the proposals, with a main area of worry being the impact that the homes would have on the area's already busy roads.

Coun Philip Broadbank spoke in objection, saying the developer's decision to delete just six homes from the plan didn't go far enough to address the traffic concerns.

"We currently have 198 homes being constructed in this area and there is still a possible 430 in the pipeline" he said.

"In total these developments will generate an extra 1,200 cars, all of which will have to travel through the existing residential areas.

"Development and construction in this area has already created chaos and confusion - and inconvenience - for many residents. Do we really need to add to that and give more years of anguish for residents to endure?"

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Coun Pat Marsh, leader of the Lib Dems on the council, previously said the roads would be “horrendous” if the application was approved.

She said: “It doesn’t serve any purpose for the existing community and it just brings more pain and aggravation. It adds nothing for the area other than misery for the local residents”.

A legal officer previously told councillors a move to scrap the plans altogether would need strong grounds if it were to stand up at a planning appeal.

The council and residents will now wait to see Richborough Estates' next move.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter