Councillors have voted to refuse plans for 58 retirement homes with care facilities in Kirk Hammerton.
Councillors refuse Kirk Hammerton retirement homes plan Councillors have voted to refuse plans for 58 retirement homes with care facilities in Kirk Hammerton. It was described at Selby & Ainsty planning committee this afternoon as being “the right scheme in the wrong location”. The homes were proposed at Station Road by the A59 junction and developer SageHaus Living said in documents they would help meet a “significant demand” for this type of elderly accommodation in the area. Councillors heard from former Labour MP and health minister Stephen Ladyman who is now the director of Oak Retirement, which is the company that would run the facility on behalf of SageHaus Living. The site would not be a care home but would have on-site qualified care staff, a community hub for people to socialise and a small shop. Mr Ladyman said older people who live in this type of development stay healthy and maintain their independence for longer. He added:
“Older people don’t want to move out of their local community into urban environments.”The scheme had been designed as a carbon neutral development to include solar panels on the roof, heat pumps as well as efficient lighting which Mr Ladyman said would result in 90% less energy use. This led to praise from Cllr Arnold Warneken, Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, who said:
“We should allow planning applications that help us save the planet.”He also said he had heard from people in the Kirk Hammerton area who would like to work at the facility if it was approved. But the plans were recommended for refusal by council officer Kate Broadbank due to its location which she said would be unsuitable to its village surroundings. Ms Broadbank also criticised the scheme’s accessibility to public transport. A bus stop on the A59 is nearby but there is no footpath, shelter or road crossing. However, Mr Ladyman argued that residents would only have to walk five minutes to get to Hammerton railway station, which is on the busy York to Harrogate line. Councillors sided with the officer’s recommendation and voted by 4 votes to 2 to refuse the plans. Cllr John Cattanach, independent councillor for Cawood & Escrick, said:
“I think this is the right kind of scheme we’d welcome in North Yorkshire but I don’t see it as the right location.”By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
Harrogate boy, 9, backs cancer charity inspired by his mum
Wanted man could be in Harrogate or Ripon, say police
Police appeal after man exposes himself to teen girls in Ripon
Ripon MP makes cheeseburgers on visit to local McDonald's
Harrogate hotel restaurant awarded Michelin star in 2026 guide
Harrogate running sensation bags second national title
New permanent wine bar and shop unveiled in Harrogate
Education Secretary hails Harrogate school's 'outstanding' SATs results
Starbeck café brings back free packed lunch scheme for people in need
Knaresborough boxer claims national gold at youth championships
Police crackdown amid fears of "nut jobs" riding dangerously on e-bikes and e-scooters
Dozens attend meeting amid anger over school transport policy change
Update issued on Knaresborough viaduct 'landslip'
Birstwith village shop and post office listed for sale
Harrogate choir named national finalists for third consecutive year
Chairman admits 'deep disappointment' but urges faith in Harrogate Town
Winter Olympics: Harrogate man captains Trinidad and Tobago bobsleigh team
Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White visits Harrogate restaurant
Reasons behind the inevitability of above-inflation council tax rise at North Yorkshire Council
Harrogate named among world's most welcoming places
