Plans to build 149 homes on Kingsley Road, Harrogate will go ahead following a successful planning appeal decision.
Developer Richborough Estates was supported by planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore in overturning a previous refusal for the scheme, which is on an allocated site connected to Harrogate’s Local Plan.
See Item01pc040820.pdf (harrogate.gov.uk) for map of location
19/02262/OUTMAJ – at Harrogate Planning committee on Tuesday 4 August 2020 – refused
The officer’s recommendations that the application be ‘deferred and approved subject to conditions and a S106 Agreement’ were moved and seconded. On a vote being taken ten Members voted against the officer’s recommendations and there was one abstention therefore the motion to defer and approve fell.
It was subsequently moved and seconded that the application be refused on the grounds that the sites location and lack of public transport within a safe and reasonable walking distance to services and facilities would represent an unsustainable development contrary to Policy TI1(d) of the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-2035 and paragraphs 108 and 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework. On a vote being taken ten Members voted for the motion to refuse and there was one abstention therefore the motion to refuse was passed.
The Planning Inspectorate said Harrogate Borough Council had acted unreasonably in refusing the plans based on sustainability matters which had already been considered as part of the allocation process.
Hannah Woodall, graduate planner at Barton Willmore, said the site clearly met sustainability requirements given nearby public transport links and local services.
Hanna said:
Richborough Estates’ plans carefully considered connectivity and sustainability via footpaths and cycle access from Kingsley Road.
There are walking routes to nearby bus stops, and the planning inspector noted “convenient” routes to local facilities and services on Knaresborough Road.
The scheme also delivers a new footpath and cycleway through to Harrogate High School and improves links to the station and town centre.
Richborough Estates was also awarded costs in connection with the appeal decision.
One “connectivity” route that Hama promoted to get planning permission was expecting people to walk 800 metres through the wheat fields to the north of the site to get to a bus stop
It is quite ridiculous and depressing the lengths developers, backed by Harrogate Council planners will go to bend planning rules to build houses on in suitable sites
Should say unsuitable sites
The residents are very petty. Yes your view will be disrupted so just move away and live somewhere else! Housing is desperately needed and you’re selfish trying to stop this application just so you can “enjoy a view”. We are an increasing population and house are desperately needed.