Plans submitted for 285 homes in Harrogate just days after 1,100-home scheme sparks backlash

Plans have been submitted for another major housing development on the outskirts of Harrogate, just days after proposals for up to 1,100 homes at a nearby site prompted a claim that the county was “under siege” from housebuilders.

Redrow Homes Yorkshire is seeking outline planning permission for up to 285 properties on 16.8 hectares of farmland to the west of Oaker Bank, near Penny Pot Lane.

The site lies immediately east of the Army Foundation College at Harrogate, with the existing King Edwin Park housing development to the north-east.

The application has been submitted amid continuing debate over the scale of housing development around Harrogate, following proposals for up to 1,100 homes at Burley Bank, which were reported last month.

The emergence of the scheme prompted Councillor Michael Harrison, who represents the Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division on North Yorkshire Council and is executive member for health and adult services, to express frustration over the number of developments coming forward outside a wider planning framework, claiming the county was “under siege from development that isn’t plan-led”.

According to a design and access statement submitted with the latest application, the development would be concentrated mainly in the northern part of the site, leaving a large area of green space to the south.

A central green corridor would run through the development, incorporating walking routes.

The developer says existing trees and hedgerows would be retained wherever possible, with additional planting and measures intended to achieve at least a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain.

A sustainable drainage system, including an attenuation basin, would also be incorporated to manage surface water.

Vehicles would enter the development from Oaker Bank, while pedestrian and cycle connections would be provided throughout the site.

The applicant describes its vision as creating a “distinctive, landscape-led residential neighbourhood” shaped by the site’s natural features and surroundings.

The plans have already undergone pre-application discussions with North Yorkshire Council.

Council officers raised concerns about aspects of an earlier illustrative layout, including the arrangement of buildings, car-dominated streets and the integration of landscaping and drainage features.

The design statement says these issues have informed the development of the proposals.

The site lies close to the locally designated Oak Beck Valley Special Landscape Area.

The land is currently used for agriculture and is identified in the application documents as Grade 4, or poor-quality, farmland.