HAMBLETON
Several important issues have arisen since the last branch meeting:-
New Hambleton Local Plan. A new draft plan will be available from 11 January for a 6 week consultation period running until 19 February. Roger Bennett has arranged a preliminary meeting with Hambleton Planners on 12 Jan. The CPRE Hambleton Committee meets on 13 Jan to make a preliminary appraisal of the issues and it may be that it would be prudent to seek the assistance of Katie Atkinson before submitting a response.
Robert Latter has prepared the CPRE Hambleton response to the NYCC Minerals & Waste Joint Plan (revision). Elements of Robert’s response are being incorporated into the CPRE Branch response prepared by Katie.
Potential Re-opening of the Northallerton to Harrogate Railway. NYCC’s new Transportation Plan includes mention of this possibility which CPRE Hambleton support in principle. Roger Bennett & David Clarke hope to meet NYCC officers in the near future to discuss the issues.
Housing. Two sites in Easingwold and one in Northallerton are to be discussed on 13 Jan. One of the Easingwold sites is outwith the current Hambleton LDF; it is not yet known whether it will be included in the proposed new LDF.
HARROGATE
As a result of recent change in Harrogate Borough Council Planning Policy developers have been directed to vary the size of dwellings in developments and this has had a direct impact on the size and housing mix of certain recent developments. Applications for residential development in Harrogate District have continued apace and as a result of the volume of planning consents the current Housing Land supply has increased significantly; this increase has made it increasingly difficult for developers to challenge refusals at appeal.
Planning Applications/Appeals: The main planning applications and appeals with which the Branch has been involved include the following:
Killinghall:
A development of 88 houses and 6 workshops at Nidd Hall Farm, Killinghall initially refused at Planning Committee is subject to an appeal by Gladmans Developments with representations due to be lodged by 27th January.
A further development of 48 houses off Moor Close, Killinghall has been increased from 35 dwellings to 48 dwellings as a result of the changes in HBC Planning Policy. This application is likely to be heard early in January.
Ripon:
A proposed development of 98 dwellings on the site of the former Ripon Cathedral Choir School remains to be decided and is likely to be heard shortly.
Pateley Bridge:
An appeal previously lodged for a proposed development of 60 houses at Low Moss Road, Brewerley, Pateley Bridge has been withdrawn.
Knaresborough
A proposed development of 74 dwellings at Orchard Close, Knaresborough was refused on the ground of its adverse impact air quality at the nearly congested road junction at Bond End.
Tockwith:
A proposed development of 150 dwellings (increased from a previous total of 135 dwellings due to changes in HBC Planning Policy) was recently deferred for further discussion on various issues including housing density, affordable housing and access. This proposal on a greenfield site would have a major impact on this largely conservation village particularly as other less harmful locations are available.
This is merely a selection of cases being handled by the Branch.
REDCAR AND CLEVELAND
The current position with our major planning applications is as follows
Housing
Marske Road, Saltburn—130 house development. We won the battle but lost the war!! Following a Public Enquiry in October the Planning Inspector granted TaylorWimpey’s appeal.
Longbank Farm, Ormesby—a repeat application for 320 houses. A Public Enquiry is scheduled for 12th January.
Marske, Longbeck—refusal of application for 1000+ houses etc has been appealed by the applicant. We await details of the Public Enquiry.
Wind Farms
Yearby—Airvolutions application has not been withdrawn but neither are they progressing with it. All the indications are that it will not proceed.
Brotton/Moorsholme area—3 applications for individual turbines have been granted, one on appeal.
CRAVEN
The District continues to lobby and campaign in relation to the Local Plan for the district. At a recent meeting of the full council however, it was decided to increase the housing quota for the district by over 50%. What is not noted however is that if the council does not meet it’s specified quota then the local plan policies in relation to housing become null and void, leaving the area open to speculative threats from predatory developers.
New research shows that local housing targets are driven by over-ambition rather than need.
Be aware, be very aware...if a local council cannot show that enough houses are likely to get built over the next five years to meet the higher figure, it will trigger a national policy which voids the local plan relating to housing and housing land and allow developers to pounce on greenfield sites that are not currently allocated for housing. It would also be likely to lead to the loss of Green Belt land.
The District work closely with local Parish Councils and members of the public. One such example is the recent Madge Bank appeal attended by several members of CPRE Craven and the North Yorkshire Chair.
CPRE Craven works closely with the local media to increase its profile and raise awareness of our charity. Each time a planning issue has been reported in the local press, we have successfully ensured that CPRE is mentioned. Links with local reporters have been forged.
The district continues to operate on minimal finances and has voted to return accumulated funds to the Branch.
Craven is manned by a dedicated bunch of volunteers each with responsibility for specific areas across the district. The key focus of the district remains, the lack of local plan and the countless threats by speculative and predatory developers capitalising on the fact that this area includes the YDNP and therefore development up to the boundary is tempting for all!
Stephen Butcher of Craven continues to campaign and lobby for the recognition of the importance of grazing land regardless of the grading system imposed by DEFra.
The district experienced high levels of flooding during November and December and have concerns that whilst flood defences are obviously critical, there is no discussion regarding unauthorised culverting undertaken by some developers which impacts on the flooding potential to an area.
YORK & SELBY
Solar Farms