DEVELOPERS have submitted a planning application for a controversial 3,000 new home proposal for villages between York and Harrogate.

If it goes ahead, the scheme could bring improvements at Cattal and Hammerton stations, new park-lands, better bus services, new roundabouts on the A59, and space for businesses and schools - as well as the new homes.

The proposals are being made by Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and the land is included in draft versions of Harrogate district’s local plan, but they have prompted strong opposition in the area and campaigns to “keep Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton green".

However, CEG’s Steve McBurnley said: “The CEG Hammerton scheme is viable and deliverable and is the most sustainable solution in accordance with the council’s emerging Local Plan.

“It benefits from existing services such as two local railway stations, local schools and community facilities and further investment into improved and new infrastructure will be delivered alongside high quality, characterful homes and new employment opportunities designed on garden village principles."

The homes in the proposals include a mix of one to five bedroom homes with affordable, starter, family and elderly accommodation, as well as 50 hectares of open space - almost a third of the site.

It would also bring better road links, a CEG spokesman said, by realigning the A59 around the development area allowing the existing road to become a more attractive pedestrian and cyclist friendly route.

The developers also say there are “no barriers to its development” and research shows that things like road capacity and utilities could cope with the new homes.

CEG held public consultation events to tell people about its plans in July last year and again in March, and more information is online at www.ceghammerton.co.uk.

Harrogate district’s draft Local Plan includes proposals to allocate land between Green Hammerton and Kirk Hammerton - which would include CEG’s Great Hammerton site or an alternative at nearby Cattal dubbed Maltkiln - for up to 3,000 new homes.

In March, campaigners against those plans for a large new development in the area hand-delivered almost 600 objections to Harrogate Borough Council.

A third large site, on the other side of the A1(M) at Flaxby, is not included in the draft plan but the developer submitted a planning application at the end of last years and has said the infrastructure is in place and work could start as soon as permission is secured.