A consultation on a new 3,000-home settlement in the Harrogate district has been extended amid concerns some residents weren’t aware of it.
Harrogate Borough Council’s consultation, which opened on October 19, asks for views on three possible sites for the development in the Green Hammerton and Cattal area, close to York.
The preferred option is on land south of Cattal train station.
A report says the scheme would offer a 21st century village lifestyle with convenient links to Harrogate, York and Leeds.
But so far the consultation has generated nine responses, which are overwhelmingly opposed to the development.
One describes it as “a desecration of a beautiful unspoilt area” and “environmental vandalism”. Several say the Flaxby site, which the council discarded, would be better.
The consultation was due to close on December 11 but will now run until January 22.
Chris Eaton, from the Keep Green Hammerton Green action group, told the Stray Ferret local groups had asked the council to extend the deadline because some residents had still not received a leaflet informing them the consultation was taking place.
Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the council, pledged last month it would be a “genuine consultation”, adding it was “critically important” for the council to get it right.
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Cllr Tim Myatt, the council’s new cabinet member for planning, said the extra time would ensure all residents and community groups had their say.
He said:
“We are listening to the community and following feedback have decided to extend the consultation so that everyone has had enough time to fully review the plans.
“We want this new settlement to be something which will serve the needs of new and existing residents. By extending the consultation and gathering further feedback we can ensure that residents and community groups have had time to provide a full response.”