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04
Dec 2020
Harrogate sees biggest increase in new homes in 20 years
There was a net increase of 975 homes in Harrogate during 2019/20, the biggest increase in at least 20 years.
The latest figures were published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and show a sharp rise in new housing compared with previous years.
The figures go back to 2001/2 and cover new builds, conversions, changes of use, and demolitions.
in 2018/19 there was an increase of 682 and in 2017/18 it was 611 — but in the ten years prior the average figure was 291 homes a year.
Read more:
Housing Investigation: New homes out of reach for too many locals
Investigation: Harrogate targeted for development during planning chaos
The figures show the impact of Harrogate's Local Plan, finally adopted earlier this year after over a decade of wrangling. The plan calls for 637 homes to be built in the district every year until 2035.
Last week, the Stray Ferret published a major investigation that explored the impact of the Local Plan on the people living in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.
According to the Harrogate Borough Council Housing Strategy 2019-2024, Harrogate is the least affordable area in the north of England.
Spiralling house prices have affected people like Megan McHugh, 24, who has lived in Harrogate all her life. She told the Stray Ferret it’s “heartbreaking” that she cannot afford to buy a house in her hometown.
She said:
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