Plans for almost 500 homes set for approval

Developers plan to build almost 500 new homes in Harrogate

Plans to build almost 500 new homes in Harrogate have been recommended for approval.

Gladman Developments aims to build 480 homes on land between Lady Lane and Whinney Lane.

The plans for the 28-acre site include land for employment purposes, a local retail centre and 10 hectares of open space.

North Yorkshire councillors are expected to back the scheme, despite 45 objections, at a meeting on Tuesday.

Almost 500 new homes could be built on the land in Harrogate

The council’s planning committee had already granted permission for 224 homes and a primary school on the site.

The land, to the south of Harrogate, was allocated for housing by the former Harrogate Borough Council in the area’s local plan, with 192 of the 480 proposed homes deemed affordable.

The developer has proposed two access points for residents off Whinney Lane and Lady Lane. These would be linked via a spine road running through the site.

The application received 45 objections with critics arguing the narrow country roads around Whinney Lane would struggle to support the population increase, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

John Mann, Conservative councillor on North Yorkshire Council, also objected to the plans, which he said would "create a congested and dangerous traffic situation as all the roads to and from this proposed development site are country lanes".

'Valuable contribution'

North Yorkshire Council’s highways department has asked Gladman Developments to pay £8,393,700 towards junction improvements in the area.

This would include a new roundabout at the junction of Otley Road and Pot Bank with a separate planning application to be submitted imminently.

A report written by council officers recommending approval said: “The impacts on the highway network can be made acceptable by the proposed conditions and by financial contributions towards off-site highway works.

"The proposed development will make a valuable contribution to meeting housing need (including the delivery of affordable housing) and to the delivery of new employment land.”

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