Anxious Wetherby residents win reprieve over new housing as planning meeting is deferred

A decision over plans for 210 new homes near Wetherby has been deferred in a victory for opponents of the highly controversial development.

A Strategic Planning Committee had been scheduled to discuss the Hallam Land/Stockeld Park application at County Hall in Northallerton on Tuesday, August 11.

Following a 15-point request by Wetherby Civic Society for deferral and objections submitted by local parish councils and residents, North Yorkshire Council has withdrawn the issue from the agenda.

Planning officers had been recommending approval of the Application 25/02006/OUTMAJ, which is located on Harrogate Road near a 325-housing development at Spofforth Park estate, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

The site of the new Wetherby housing development, on the boundary of West and North Yorkshire has raised concerns it would significantly impact on roads, schools, GP surgeries and other services in Wetherby. (Picture contributed)

But Wetherby Civic Society has argued that the site of the new plan, on the boundary of West and North Yorkshire, would significantly impact on roads, schools, GP surgeries and other services in Wetherby.

Malcolm Gardner, Vice-Chair of Wetherby Civic Society, said: “We are not asking councillors to reject these new homes altogether.

"We are asking them not to make a decision this important on a report that contradicts itself.

"North Yorkshire would count the houses, while Wetherby would absorb much of the pressure on roads, schools and doctors.”

The respected civic group had identified what it said were “contradictions and omissions” in the officers’ report in advance of the meeting of the planning committee.

When the matter does return to the agenda, it is unlikely to get an easy ride.

Representatives from Wetherby Town Council, Kirk Deighton Parish Council, Spofforth Park Management Group, Wetherby Civic Society and Better Wetherby have been working closely on this matter and say they will be speaking on behalf of the community.

Peter Catton, Chair of Wetherby Civic Society, said:“The contradictions and omissions within the officers’ report and the planning application, such as Yorkshire Water’s refusal to allow surface water to enter the sewers but there being no details of where and how it is to be drained, are breathtaking.

"The North Yorkshire Council planning committee has no choice other than to remit the application for these to be corrected or to refuse the application.”