Plans for 150 new homes on green belt land near Harrogate submitted to North Yorkshire Council
Plans for up to 150 new homes on green belt land near Harrogate would help address a severe shortage of housing in the area, according to the developer behind the scheme.
Forward Investments LLP has submitted an outline application for land south of Smithy Close and west of Thirkhill Drive and the A61 in Pannal.
The 7.93-hectare site includes three agricultural fields as well as an existing recreation ground containing two playing fields, a car park and play area.
The developer describes the proposals as the third phase of development around the former Dunlopillo site, following earlier housing, a care home and commercial development.
Up to 150 properties could be built alongside new public open space, ecological habitat and landscaping.
A planning statement submitted with the application says the former Harrogate district currently has just 2.2 years of deliverable housing land, compared with the five-year supply required by national planning policy.
It calculates that 5,492 homes are required over five years, including the relevant buffer, while the latest available figures identify a deliverable supply of 3,111 properties.
The developer describes the situation as a “severe level of under supply”.
The undeveloped part of the site is within the green belt and the site is outside Pannal’s development limits.
However, the applicant argues that the land meets the Government’s definition of “grey belt” because it does not strongly contribute to several of the purposes of the green belt.
The application proposes 50 per cent affordable housing, above the 40 per cent normally required for greenfield sites, to comply with national planning policy’s “golden rules” for green belt development.
Almost half of the site — around 3.7 hectares — would be green infrastructure, including an enhanced community park, an enlarged play area, new paths, planting and green corridors.
Vehicle access would be from Thirkhill Drive, while new pedestrian and cycle links are proposed.
The developer highlights that Pannal railway station would be within an 800-metre walk of all the new homes.
Its transport assessment concludes the development would not have a “severe” impact on the highway network.
The application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.