Housing proposed for green belt site

Plans for 150 homes on green belt land near Harrogate would address a "severe" housing shortage in the area, according to a developer.

Forward Investments LLP has submitted an outline application for land south of Smithy Close and west of Thirkhill Drive and the A61 in Pannal.

The 7.93-hectare site includes three agricultural fields as well as an existing recreation ground containing two playing fields, a car park and play area.

No date has been set for North Yorkshire Council to consider the application.

The developer describes the proposals as the third phase of development around the former Dunlopillo site, following earlier housing, a care home and commercial development.

Up to 150 properties could be built alongside public open space, ecological habitat and landscaping, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A planning statement submitted with the application says the former Harrogate district currently has just over two years of deliverable housing land, compared with the five-year supply required by national planning policy.

It calculates that 5,492 homes are required over five years, including the relevant buffer, while the latest available figures identify a deliverable supply of 3,111 properties.

The developer describes the situation as a "severe level of under supply".

The undeveloped part of the site is within the green belt and the site is outside Pannal's development limits.

However, the applicant argues that the land meets the government's definition of "grey belt" because it does not strongly contribute to several of the purposes of the green belt.

The application proposes 50% of affordable housing, above the 40% normally required for greenfield sites, to comply with national planning policy's "golden rules" for green belt development.

Almost half of the site would be green infrastructure, including an enhanced community park, an enlarged play area, new paths, planting and green corridors.

Vehicle access would be from Thirkhill Drive, while pedestrian and cycle links are proposed. The developer highlights that Pannal Railway Station would be within an 800m walk of all the homes.

Its transport assessment concludes the development would not have a "severe" impact on the highway network.

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