Residents raise fears after more Killinghall homes approved

Plans for the development had been deferred at a planning meeting in June to discuss the possibility of moving the open space closer to existing playing fields.

Linden Homes submitted amended plans to accommodate an increase in open space and an area of open space adjacent to the Glebe.

Last year, Harrogate Borough Council approved plans for 600 homes at Penny Pot Lane near Killinghall, as well as two other plans to build 62 and 82 houses in the village.

HBC planners also gave the green light to 78 houses at Picking Croft Lane and 62 houses at Cautley Drive.

Speaking in June, Coun Michael Harrison (Cons, Killinghall) warned it was only temporary relief when the council fought off two planning applications for the village.

The council refused an application from Gladman Development for 75 houses at Nidd House Farm off Ripon Road, as well as deferring the Linden Homes application.

However, he said that the increase in building developments could result in Killinghall losing its village identity.

He said: “Whatever development plan the council ultimately approves for the district it will involve building in villages.

“But none of us could envisage approving a development plan that would see so much focus on one community.

“There’s no other area that has experienced anything like these levels of development. Killinghall is a village and it should not be losing its identity.”

Killinghall residents raised their concerns with the application on HBC’s planning portal; including concerns over the size of the green space, the site design and over-development in the village.

Linden Homes North technical director Andy Cramer said they were “extremely pleased” with the decision after working hard with HBC planning officers.