Planning: Hundreds of houses proposed for Harrogate

House building firm, Taylor Wimpy, has also re-submitted its application for 124 houses on Crag Lane whilst also appealing against the council’s refusal of the plans.

Cabinet member for planning at HBC Coun Michael Harrison (Con, Killinghall) said: “The council is expecting an increase in the number of applications throughout the district.

“However each of these will be considered on a case by case basis and they will not be recommended for approval if they do not represent affordable development.”

Plans for 124 houses were thrown out by the planning committee in April, who voted unanimously to oppose the proposals for the fields opposite RHS Harlow Carr.

The site backs onto the Pinewoods and the Pinewoods Conservation Group (PCG) say they will continue to oppose the proposals.

Chairman Neil Hind said: “We are not opposed to all development, this isn’t a case of not in my back yard, but that site isn’t suitable.

“There are far more suitable site for housing around Harrogate. We object to this as it will have a negative impact on the biodiversity of the Pinewoods.”

PCG member and Rossett councillor, Coun Rebecca Burnett said: “This application was refused unanimously by the planning committee in April. I expect the new application to receive exactly the same opposition. As local councillors we will be working with local residents, groups and the residents to fight against this proposal.

“I’m not sure what the developers think they can achieve by bombarding us with an appeal and a new application at the same time but we won’t be bullied out of the way. There are compelling environmental and highways reasons why this should not be accepted and we will continue to make those points.”

Yew Tree Lane plans put forward

Developers have now submitted their planning application to build 143 new homes on the former police training college site on Yew Tree Lane in Pannal Ash, Harrogate.

The application, which also involves converting existing buildings to provide a further eight apartments, follows a consultation event and includes 40 per cent affordable housing on the 21 acre site.

Development director Peter Morris said: “This is a brownfield site and we believe that in any new plan it will be considered suitable for housing development. Because this is a flagship site for us, we have appointed award-winning architects Richards Partington to help ensure that our designs reflect the local style.”

The plans include renovating the existing stone buildings and retaining the avenue of trees.

If approved, David Wilson Homes say work could begin in early 2015 with the full development complete by 2019.

Rossett Coun Rebecca Burnett (Con, Rossett) said: “Whilst part of this site is brownfield we need to make sure the green space and the character of the area is protected. Residents are also concerned about the increase in traffic which the proposed development could bring and the density of any development.

“We will be pressing the developer to make sure these concerns are taken into account.”

206 houses for Skipton Road

Developers Bellway Homes have submitted proposals to build over 200 houses off Skipton Road have been put forward to Harrogate Borough Council. The land had been earmarked for a Dobbies Garden Centre, and the retail giant held public consultation events in late 2012, but admitted they had lost interest in the land earlier this year. To view the plans online http://uniformonline.harrogate.gov.uk and search for reference number - 14/03119/FULMAJ

CEG developers look for more

Developers CEG have applied for a second housing estate in land between Skipton Road in Harrogate and Killinghall, after getting planning permission were given planning permission for 210 houses in May. The latest plans are for 135 houses with access from Otley Road. Steve McBurney, development project manager at CEG, said: “The Skipton Road site has already been accepted as a highly sustainable site that is suitable for accommodating further housing.”

“Our early proposals are designed to deliver an appropriate and high quality development in response to that.”

Pub conversion to go ahead

Former pub The Tree on Hookstone Chase will be demolished and houses built on the site after Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee gave the plans the go ahead last week. The proposals to build eight semi-detached homes on the site of the old pub have been passed to the chief planner to approve after an agreement is reached between the council and developer over noise and drainage issues.Thirteen councillors voted in favour of the application at the meeting on August 19, and two voted against. The plans had received local backing, nearby resident Simon Harrison said: “We totally support the plans for housing this has to be a better option for the surounding area than a pub that is falling into disrepair.”