Knaresborough's traffic levels flagged by town council opposing major housing development

Knaresborough's town councillors have challenged outline plans for a major housing development on the outskirts of the town.
The council voted to object to Taylor Wimpey UK Limiteds application, credit GoogleThe council voted to object to Taylor Wimpey UK Limiteds application, credit Google
The council voted to object to Taylor Wimpey UK Limiteds application, credit Google

The council voted to object to Taylor Wimpey UK Limited’s attempt to build 402 homes at High Field Farm on York Road at a full meeting of council last Monday. The application has not yet been ruled on by Harrogate Borough Council planners.

Harrogate parents' are raising funds to take legal action against County Council over school cutsAlong with issues over mitigating the impact to the surrounding area, Knaresborough Town Council’s main concern was over the potential rise in the amount of traffic.

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Coun David Goode said: “Through the summer months traffic has often been backed up all the way from the A1 to King James Shopping Centre. There are days where the infrastructure couldn’t cope with the situation, this will only compound it.”

This is not the only development outside of the town where a large development is underway; immediately to the west of High Field Farm an additional 600 homes have received planning approval.

With more housing built further out of the town, and away from services, there are concerns it will be difficult to encourage people to not travel by car.

Coun Goode said: “As these sites get further and further to the outskirts of Knaresborough, the work to address traffic levels in the town, with people having to travel by car to access shops, surgeries and other services, becomes more difficult.”

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MBE man's time on Yorkshire Ripper inquiryA spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire said: “Vehicular access will be taken from York Road along the southern frontage of the site.

“We submitted a Transport Assessment with our application that details the traffic impact of our proposals on the local highway network.

“We are awaiting formal comments from North Yorkshire County Council Highways.

“Our proposals will provide many benefits to the local community, including up to 402 houses in a range of types and sizes (including affordable housing), creation of areas of on-site open space and play areas.”

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Brexit: District's MPs reveal how they will vote ahead of key debateHBC allocated the land at High Field Farm as a housing site in the District’s Local Plan, setting 11 site requirements.

This included retaining woodland, ponds, and other habitats associated with the watercourse that runs to the south and enhancing with significant amounts of new planting.