DEVELOPERS claim they have the best site for a 3,000-home new settlement west of York to meet future housing needs in the Harrogate district.

Richard France, managing director of Oakgate, said ‘Maltkiln Village’, which would be situated in the area around Cattal railway station, had ‘significantly fewer constraints’ than other possible new settlement sites in Harrogate Borough Council’s draft Local Plan.

These include 'Great Hammerton', situated between Kirk Hammerton and Green Hammerton, which is currently favoured by the authority despite furious protests by villagers, and Flaxby Park, alongside the A1.

Mr France said Oakgate was preparing a submission to send to the council as part of its Local Plan consultation and it had launched a dedicated website- www.maltkilnvillage.co.uk - to provide residents with more information and explain why it felt this was the best location for the settlement.

A spokesman said the development would include about 3,000 new homes, major transport improvements to both the A59 and the existing station, and with a village centre at its heart.

“The proposed infrastructure includes a new roundabout on the A59 to access the village, a new primary school, new road and pedestrian bridges over the railway line to enable the closure of the existing level crossing at Cattal station, complementary community facilities and employment space suitable for a variety of business types and sizes,” he said.

“The Green Hammerton proposals have been recommended by officers to be the new settlement site but the council has been very clear to say this is only a recommendation at this stage.

“We firmly believe our site is better than both the others, offering more benefits, fewer constraints and being uniquely located around an existing train station which we are proposing to improve significantly.

“The plans will have to be analysed through a public inquiry led by a planning inspector before it is adopted too.

“We will continue to make representations throughout the process as to the merits of our site and there is a long way to go in the process.”