Second rejection for Cardale housing plan

Plans for 450 homes opposite Cardale Park have been refused by a second group of Harrogate councillors.
tis  Potential housing development land near Cardale Park.  (110707M1a)tis  Potential housing development land near Cardale Park.  (110707M1a)
tis Potential housing development land near Cardale Park. (110707M1a)

The plans by Broadway Malyan to build 450 houses, two cricket pitches and leave land for a primary school were refused by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in July.

However, due to Harrogate Borough Council’s lack of a five year housing supply, the application was passed on to the planning referral committee for a second decision. Committee members this week rejected the amended plans on the grounds that the development would have a ‘severe impact’ on the town’s road network.

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Despite two rejections, nearby residents say they do not think this is the end of the matter and fear an appeal to a government inspector is likely.

Murray Trantor, Chair of the Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association said: “The decision to refuse the plans for 450 homes was a victory for common sense. However if recent history is anything to go by, a duplicate or very similar, planning application will be made and a formal appeal to the Secretary of State will be lodged.

“This adds to the taxpayers burden.”

Planning committee members excluded the press and public from part of their meeting on the recommendation of HBC solicitor Bob Power to take legal advice. Mr Trantor said: “It is becoming a regular occurrence now. People shouldn’t be asked to leave, there shouldn’t be anything that is so secret.”

Coun Jim Clark (Con, Harlow Moor) said at the meeting: “I am very worried about the traffic modelling and some of the figures from that.

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“We believe there are around 15,000 to 20,000 journeys made per day on Otley Road already, and this would only be made worse.”

Harlow Hill resident and engineer David Siddans spoke out against the proposals which included a clause for the developer to pay a half a million pound contribution to road improvements, including a traffic light system at the junction of Otley Road and Beckwith Head Road which could be controlled by the neighbouring police station in case of blue light emergencies.

He said: “These roads in Harrogate are almost at or at capacity. When you tinker with the roads or add the volume of traffic a little bit it can have a disproportionate affect on the traffic flow elsewhere.”

Coun Clark said: “I have not heard anything tonight which makes it seem this is suitable, it isn’t suitable.”

The committee voted six to four to refuse the application with one abstention.

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