Four thousand homes plan gets government backing

The development, known as Maltkiln, would be built around Cattal railway station

A project to build a new 4,000-home community between York and Harrogate has taken a step forward after a government watchdog approved a development plan.

The new settlement, called Maltkiln, would be centred around Cattal railway station.

The development plan sets out a framework for how it should be built, but its individual elements would still require separate planning permission.

The Planning Inspectorate said the proposals were legally and procedurally sound, subject to modifications, including amendments to the boundary and access.

In 2018, Harrogate Borough Council's Local Plan proposed a new settlement to meet current and future housing needs in the area and the site was identified as the optimum location.

Wetherby-based developer Caddick Group held a three-week consultation into plans for the site in 2024, and submitted revised plans to North Yorkshire Council.

The council said Maltkiln would be a sustainable new community where people have access to new homes, local services and facilities, open spaces and direct public transport links to York, Harrogate and Leeds.

In April 2024, the council's development plan document was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate which held a series of examination hearings in September.

'Important decision'

In his report, planning inspector Clive Coyne said the document "provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the area, provided that a number of main modifications are made to it".

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for open to business, Councillor Mark Crane, 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.

"Developments like Maltkiln are, therefore, hugely important in addressing our housing needs and providing sustainable communities for people to call home."

Green Party Councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, 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.

"Before we even talk about houses, we need to ensure a settlement of this size doesn't put pressure on existing infrastructure such as highways and sewers."

The council said steps towards formally adopting the plan would now get under way, with refinements to be made based on the inspector's modifications.

The final proposals are due to be presented to North Yorkshire councillors at a full council meeting on Wednesday 12 November.

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