'Great concern' over radical planning reforms that will shape Harrogate's housing future

Planning officials at Harrogate Borough Council have sounded the alarm over the proposed government changes which they fear will have “significant implications” for the district and lead to an "erosion of local democracy".

The government is consulting on the proposals which it said will make it quicker to build much-needed new homes and stop local opponents blocking development.

A report to Harrogate councillors said whilst the aims of the plans are "laudable on the whole" - some areas are of "great concern".

"The proposals will lead to an increasing centralisation of the planning system and erosion of local democracy to the detriment of bottom up," it said.

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The sweeping changes are part of the government's plan to "build, build, build" to soften the "economic aftershock" of coronavirus.

Under the proposals, land will be divided into three categories - "growth", "renewal" or "protected".

If land is designated for "renewal" councils would have to look favourably on new developments. In "growth" areas, new homes, hospitals and schools will be allowed automatically.

Areas of outstanding natural beauty and the green belt will come under the "protected" category and "beautiful buildings" will be fast-tracked through the system.

It has also been proposed that all new streets should be tree-lined and "all new homes to be carbon-neutral by 2050, with no new homes delivered under the new system needing to be retrofitted".

Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, previously showed her support for the carbon reduction measures but expressed concerns that the reforms could give developers the upper-hand and lead them to building "the slums of the future".

"The new permitted development rights do not allow local people a say in the way their area looks," she said. "All the years of protecting the heritage of our towns which make them unique will be lost."

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Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said local people would get a "meaningful say" at the start of the planning process when Local Plans are drawn up, but will not be able to block new schemes after that.

Harrogate adopted its Local Plan - which sets out where thousands of new homes and businesses will be built over the next 15 years - earlier this year.

Mr Jenrick claimed local people "did not have a great deal of influence" over the current planning system and that few people engaged with it.

The planning reforms will be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter