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13
Dec 2023
Bishop Monkton 23 homes refusal 'illogical', says developer
A developer has described a decision to refuse plans to build 23 homes in Bishop Monkton as “illogical”.
Kebbell Development Ltd tabled a plan to build the houses on Knaresborough Road in the village.
At a meeting of North Yorkshire Council's Skipon and Ripon area constituency planning committee in August, councillors rejected the plan amid concern it would increase the amount of raw sewage released on streets.
The decision went against North Yorkshire Council officers’ recommendations to approve the scheme.
As a result, the developer has appealed the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.
In a statement of case, the developer described the council’s position on refusing the plans as “illogical”.
It added that Yorkshire Water had not objected to the scheme despite concern over sewage.
It said:
However, Bishop Monkton Action Group has urged the government to reject the appeal.
In a 26-page letter of objection submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, the campaign group said the scheme would “threaten the sustainability of our village”.
The group said it had concerns over the impact on drainage and sewage, as well as a “historic lack of investment” in the area’s sewer system.
It said:
Read more:
- Residents urge government to reject Bishop Monkton 23-home appeal
- Council cancels another Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee
The move comes as councillors rejected the proposals at a council meeting three months ago.
One councillor said having more properties in the village could exacerbate the “abomination” of raw sewage being released into the streets during heavy rainfall.
The committee had also called for Yorkshire Water to provide more detail on how the scheme would impact on foul water drainage in the village.
No representative from the company appeared at the meeting.
But the company said “most, if not all” of the “sewage escapes” in the village were caused by residents putting excessive toilet paper, fat, oil and grease down toilets and sinks which caused pipes to block.
A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.
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