CONSULTATION on the document which will shape Harrogate’s future has commenced.

The hearings scrutinising Harrogate’s draft local plan, which presents a 20-year vision of where thousands of homes and businesses will be built, started on Monday.

Government-appointed planning inspector Richard Schofield outlined the three outcomes that could arise from the hearings: that the plan would be found sound; that it would be supportable with some modification, or that it would not be found sound and couldn’t be supported.

Occupying the most time on Monday was a discussion between legal representatives for Harrogate Borough Council’s legal representative and developers Flaxby Park Ltd whose plans for 2,750 homes, a retirement village, schools and a GP surgery have not been identified as the preferred option for a new settlement area.

Land around Green Hammerton/Cattal was instead advocated in the local plan. Developers The Oakgate Group submitted an outline application for a 4000-dwelling development in the area earlier this year.

Representatives of Flaxby Pty Ltd asserted that the council had failed to correct factual errors in assessments and had given no indication that it had taken relevant representations into account in the plan; with the council response that neither point was correct.

That matter is due to return for hearing on January 29, when the selection of Green Hammerton/Cattal as a broad location for growth is set to be scrutinised.

Among the local residents addressing the hearing was Pannal and Burnbridge Parish Councillor Howard West, who expressed his frustration of what he perceived as a lack of answers regarding residents’ concerns.   

“The issue we have is that so many of the comments made by hundreds of people have failed to be addressed,” Coun West said. 

In response, the council’s principal planning policy manager Tracey Rathmell said she was “satisfied” that the council’s extensive consultancy process had given the full population of Harrogate the opportunity to comment, which were taken into consideration in the plan.

Ahead of the debate, Harrogate cabinet member for planning Coun Rebecca Burnett said the draft plan was one that set out a vision for Harrogate that would enable people to own their own home and both live and work locally. 

“The vast majority of the people agree we need more housing in the district. But, due to the controversial nature of new development, it would be impossible for us to develop a plan which everyone is happy with,” Coun Burnett said.

“We are, as every other local authority is, caught between those who think we have gone too far and those who do not think we have gone far enough. I firmly believe this is the best local plan we could have produced.”

Monday heralded the start of three weeks of hearings taking place up until January 30, before a one week break, with a conclusion from the inspector taking place over several days from February 12.