A FINAL consultation into the Harrogate district’s Local Plan starts today, with villagers fighting to overturn proposals for a massive new settlement west of York.

The six-week consultation will give residents, business leaders, developers and others the opportunity to have a final say on Harrogate Borough Council’s draft Plan.

The authority approved a draft version of the plan when it met in December and it will be submitted to the Government for review later in the year.

The draft includes proposals for a 3,000-home new settlement in the area around Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton to help meet the district’s future housing need, despite huge local protests.

The authority originally said it should be based on land between Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton - dubbed Great Hammerton - but in November it said an alternative site at nearby Cattal, named Maltkiln Village by developers, should also be considered fully.

James Herbert, spokesman for the Keep the Hammertons Green Action Group, said it was urging all residents in Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton, and also other villages in the area such as Cattal, to write to the council giving their views during the consultation.

He said they should point out the ‘poor analysis and evidence base’ for the settlement to be situated there, rather than what the group believes is a more suitable location at Flaxby, just to the west of the A1.

A council spokeswoman said there was one question during the consultation: whether people supported the local plan or not.

She said: “Harrogate’s local plan is a 20-year vision for a district where people can afford their own home and to live and work locally. It suggests sites where new homes and jobs could be created and considers the infrastructure required to ensure new developments can be properly supported.

“The plan also tackles a number of significant issues facing the district.

"They include a lack of affordable housing which, unless managed, will force today’s young people to move further and further away from the communities they grew up in.”

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, cabinet member for planning, said the plan was fundamental because it set out how future development would be managed.

“I urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation – especially if you’ve not done so before – and show your support for this crucial plan," she added.