Plans to create a new village near Harrogate have taken a step forward — but concerns remain over the controversial project.
Government-appointed planning inspector Clive Coyne has ruled that the development plan document (DPD) for a new settlement centred around Cattal railway station, between York and Harrogate, is “sound”, subject to modifications including amendments to the boundary and access.
The decision on the DPD, which governs how 4,000 new homes and two primary schools would be built at Maltkiln, was taken after a public examination of the plan took place in Harrogate in September last year.
The ruling has been welcomed by the council’s executive member for open to business, Councillor Mark Crane.
He said:
“This important decision allows us to continue progressing plans to provide much-needed new homes and support services in the central part of North Yorkshire.
“We need more housing across the whole of the county to meet demand and ensure people are given the option of choosing to live in the communities that they wish to.
“As the geographically largest council in England, this is a significant ongoing challenge.
“Developments like Malkiln are therefore hugely important in addressing our housing needs and providing sustainable communities for people to call home.”
The council has faced criticism from local communities over the consultation process surrounding the development.
Local parish councils told last year’s hearing that the authority’s approach to the consultation left them “confused” and “in disbelief”.
They also said the council should have consulted again after changes to the plan were made following the withdrawal of land, which made up 43 per cent of the overall scheme.
Councillor Alex Smith, from Kirk Hammerton Parish Council, said changes made to the DPD pushed building into the green gap meant to keep the settlement distinct, which he said would “blur village identity”.
Cllr Smith said the new plans meant 3,000 houses were “crammed” into one half of the site, with most beyond walking distance of the centre of the village, which would have no secondary school or indoor sports facilities.
He added:
“There’s a legal duty to show the reasonable alternatives considered, yet none have been evidenced.
“And with the council holding a financial interest in New Farm, now included in the revised plan, transparency matters — publish the correspondence, viability work, and land-value advice.”
Councillor Arnold Warneken, member for the Ouseburn division, which includes the site of the proposed new village, said:
“The challenge is to make sure that what started as a garden village doesn’t end up as a housing estate in the countryside.
“It’s got to deliver a high-quality, green place that justifies taking open countryside for major development. Houses need to be well-built, energy-efficient and cheap to run.
“And it must be set up to create walkable communities that support active travel because the whole reason the location next to the station was selected was to get people out of their cars.”
The final proposals are due to be presented to North Yorkshire councillors at the meeting of full council on Wednesday, November 12.
If adopted, the plan would provide the framework for the new community, with each part of the site development still subject to individual planning applications.
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