PLANS for almost 3,000 new homes at Flaxby will be submitted this month to Harrogate Borough Council - just as it is considering whether or not to earmark the site for such a new settlement in its Local Plan.

Flaxby Park Ltd will seek planning permission to build 2,750 homes, a village centre, two primary schools and sports facilities, as well as a new railway station on the disused golf course off the A59 and A1 between York and Knaresborough.

Developers said the application followed more than a year of discussions with the council on a scheme which will be 'a template' for sustainable development and create thousands of construction jobs.

Shareholder Chris Musgrave said: “In almost every category, Flaxby Park scores highly as the right location for a development that will grow with Harrogate.”

However planning officers said in the Local Plan earlier this year their preferred location for a new settlement to meet the district's housing needs was Kirk and Green Hammerton, prompting furious protests from local residents during a public consultation. An updated report is set to go to cabinet later this month on the Local Plan.

Matt Johnson, Flaxby Park Ltd director, said yesterday: “We will continue to make our representations regarding the Draft Local Plan whilst also pushing forward with our popular design and plans for much needed new homes at Flaxby Park.”

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, cabinet member for planning, said the council would consider the planning application on its merits "with appropriate weight being afforded to the emerging Local Plan".