Plan for thousands of homes in Green Hammerton near York put on hold

Under Harrogate Council’s draft Local Plan, at least 3,000 houses could be built at Green Hammerton. Under the scheme the A59 would also need to be re-routed.

But the independent government inspector examining the council’s proposals has asked for the scheme to be reviewed. And campaigners have welcomed the news.

A letter to the council from the inspector, Richard Schofield, says: “Having considered the submissions from Flaxby Park and Keep The Hammertons Green ... it seems to me that the issue of whether additional sustainability appraisal work in relation to broad locations for growth for a new settlement is needed is finely balanced.

“This being so, I consider that it would be sensible for the council to undertake additional work in this regard.”

He added that the Local Plan contains a “large excess” of housing allocations - higher than the number of new homes needed to meet the council’s requirements.

Under the Local Plan, there are proposals for thousands of homes to be built in the Cattal/Green Hammerton area on one of three sites - near Green Hammerton, at Cattal or at Flaxby Park.

Chris Eaton, co-chair of the Keep The Hammertons Green action group, said: “It’s very encouraging for us. For the inspector to say you need to review the other sites, including Flaxby as well, there’s another opportunity for them to look at the plans again. It would be absolutely superb for us if the Green Hammerton allocation was taken out of the plan.

“He might come back and say the allocation’s high but he accepts that there’s a need for a new settlement.”

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “We have been asked by the planning inspector to undertake further sustainability appraisal work, that will include looking at environmental, economic and social objectives.

“We will approach this with an open mind and will respond to the outcome of the work should it indicate a different approach.”