Plans for 1,100 new homes on WW2 airfield site

A public consultation has been launched on plans for more than 1,000 new homes in a North Yorkshire village.

Residents have been invited to share their views on proposals to redevelop the former Tockwith airfield and adjacent land with 1,100 houses, new community spaces, a school and health and retail facilities.

Developer Hallam Land said it would "meet growing housing needs in the area".

Arnold Warneken, a a Green councillor for North Yorkshire who also chairs Tockwith parish council, said: "The parish has about 900 properties already and 1,100 obviously more than doubles it."

The development includes affordable housing for local people and improvements to pedestrian and cycle links to the surrounding area to "encourage sustainable travel".

New infrastructure proposals include a community hub, pharmacy, dental surgery, veterinary surgery, sports facilities and supermarkets.

A primary school also features in the scheme, with new health services and facilities aiming to support local residents and "the potential provision of housing for older people".

Three vehicular access points into the site are also proposed.

The developers said the scheme would "constitute the efficient use of a predominantly brownfield site which is currently occupied by uses including vehicle storage, go karting, tyre storage, and modular housing component storage".

The former airfield has a long history, and was known as RAF Marston Moor during World War Two, when it employed more than 2,000 personnel.

Tockwith Together, a community group, sent a letter to the developers ahead of the consultation voicing their concerns, saying members "cannot support a proposal for so many houses and a more than doubling of the size of the village".

Hallam Land added: "We are getting the full spectrum of views about the plans as expected, and some really useful feedback as to what local people want to see included in the masterplan.

"We would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and the website has all the information included, as well as a feedback survey so people can voice their views and suggestions.

"This is the start of a lengthy process and conversation with the local community."

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