Dozens of objections to ‘ludicrous’ Crimple Valley housing plan

Almost 70 objections have been submitted in two weeks after plans were put forward to build 35 homes in the Crimple Valley.

The outline proposal for Almsford Bank Stables includes 14 affordable homes, seven first homes and 14 self or custom build (SCB) plots.

However, 69 public comments have been received since Monday, June 20, all of which oppose the plans.

Among them, nearby resident Jules Sibson said:

“This application is ludicrous. There is no way the access here would be safe.

“Only a few weeks ago the road was closed for some period of time to a major road traffic accident. The traffic is stacked back on a regular basis, and if it’s not then people speed up and down the hill. A junction here would surely lead to disaster.

“As a local who also regularly enjoys the beautiful walks along here with my children I am literally dumbfounded this planning would even be re-considered.”

The location of Almsford BankThe proposed site, outlined in red, lies in the Crimple Valley

Another from Judith Hooper said:

“In the time we have been resident in Harrogate there have been numerous car accidents on Almsford bank, the most recent very serious one being only a few weeks ago.

“Cars accelerate down the bank on reaching the 50mph sign and already have to contend with traffic coming out of Crimple Hall.

“Putting access at the bottom of such a busy section of road, on a bend, seems to invite accidents. At night there are many cars clearly speeding on this stretch. At busy periods traffic is queuing both up and down the hill.”

Campaign group Save Crimple Valley has urged the public to submit objections to the new proposals.

It is the third application for the site site since 2018, when plans for 65 homes were put forward but withdrawn. The following year, a reduced proposal of 35 homes was submitted, but again withdrawn in the face of extensive objections.

The site is not included in Harrogate Borough Council’s local plan, which guides where development can take place in the district.

One objection to the latest proposal by the same applicant said the repeated applications were a “waste of everyone’s time”.

However, the application argues that the district does not have a sufficient supply of SCB sites to meet its obligations.

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Consultees have also submitted their responses, with National Highways (formerly Highways England) saying it had no objections to the proposals.

However, some have opposed the plans. The Harrogate branch of the Ramblers’ Association said:

“We object strongly to this latest outline application to develop this site. Any housing development here would seriously damage public amenity…

“We object to the building of houses in this special landscape. We object to this area of countryside being urbanised.

“The indicative layout shows the bridleway diverted onto a new estate road for part of its length. We object because there has been no provision made for the bridleway to be kept separate from the proposed access road to the houses.

“We do not accept a right of way being incorporated into a vehicular access road for a housing development. There is no provision to keep the non-motorised route separate from the housing estate road, but it is unlikely this can be achieved on this site.”

The plans have been submitted by Square Feet Ltd, whose registered address is on nearby Fulwith Mill Lane, and Antela Developments Ltd, two of whose three directors also live on Fulwith Mill Lane.

To view or comment on the plans, visit the Harrogate Borough Council planning website and use reference 22/02233/OUTMAJ.

The consultation ends on Sunday, July 10. A date for the application to be decided by the council has yet to be set.

New plans submitted for 35 homes in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley

A new planning application has been submitted for 35 homes in the Crimple Valley to the south of Harrogate.

The outline application is for 14 affordable homes, seven first homes and 14 self or custom build plots at Almsford Bank Stables.

The site, which lies to the east of the A61 at the foot of Almsford Bank, is currently used for equestrian purposes, with stabling and barns.

Supporting information in the application said:

“It is proposed that the site will be developed for residential use through a combination of terraced cottages, semi-detached and detached dwellings.

“The density of the site has been determined to reflect the pattern of development throughout the surrounding area but also taking into account a variety of dwelling sizes in order to serve local demand.

“It is intended that the new dwellings will vary in height, making use of the existing contours and reflecting the density of the residential context to the north whilst allowing the edges of the development to take on a more rural scale.

“The use of traditional building materials – local sandstone and slate will help to reflect the local vernacular buildings and help soften the visual impact of the new development.”

The application includes information about the provision for self and custom build (SCB) homes, which it argues are in short supply in the Harrogate district.

It is the third application to build housing on the site, and is the first time the suggestion of SCB homes has been put forward.

The first proposal, in 2018, was for 65 homes and was withdrawn after 132 objections were submitted by members of the public.

The location of Almsford BankThe Almsford Bank site, outlined in red, is less than half of the area owned by the applicants.

In 2019, plans for 35 homes were submitted, including 21 open market houses and 14 affordable homes.

That application attracted more than 100 comments from members of the public, none of whom supported the plans. Many cited concerns about access to the site from a fast and busy road, as well as objecting to the development on land designated a special landscape area in the local plan.

The proposal was again withdrawn.

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All three applications have been put forward by Square Feet Ltd, whose registered address is on nearby Fulwith Mill Lane, and Antela Developments Ltd, two of whose three directors also live on Fulwith Mill Lane.

The new application said:

“The applicant’s ownership extends to an area of approximately 10 hectares. However, the development area extends to 4.4 hectares as a result of the parts of the site which are not considered to be suitable for development including woodland areas, land with steep gradients, flood zone areas and areas which are sensitive to change due to impact on openness and landscape value.

“The site has historically been in equestrian use with associated farmland, barns and stables. Development is only proposed on the northern part of the site, with the southern part of the site providing a significant landscaped area which will remain open.”

To view or comment on the plans, visit the Harrogate Borough Council planning website and use reference 22/02233/OUTMAJ.

A date for the application to be decided by the council has yet to be set.