Councillor states that Wetherby’s growth must not come at the expense of the River Wharfe

Wetherby Green councillor calls for answers on housing threat to River Wharfe

Wetherby's Green councillor Penny Stables is calling for urgent answers about how the River Wharfe will be protected as major new housing developments are proposed around the town.

The councillor has been a strong opponent of the scale of development put forward in and around Wetherby, citing the market town's identity as rich in green spaces.

And she is now questioning plans for 210 homes planned in North Yorkshire council’s area, but on the outskirts of Wetherby.

Coun Stables said: “Yorkshire Water has formally objected to plans for 210 homes off Spofforth Hill/Harrogate Road, stating that its sewer network doesn't have enough capacity for the anticipated foul water from the development.

“Its objection, on the planning portal, warns that flood risk, pollution and public health may all be negatively impacted.”

Coun Stables added: “For anyone who cares about the River Wharfe, Yorkshire’ Water's consultation response should set alarm bells ringing.

"Yorkshire Water has also said that if the council decides to grant permission, it would request conditions.

"But when we’re talking about sewage infrastructure for hundreds of new homes and warnings about capacity and pollution, is it really responsible to grant permission now and put on a condition saying it has to be sorted out later?

“The River Wharfe is at the heart of our town, and I don’t think ‘we’ll sort it out later’ is good enough – especially when we’re talking about sewage.”

Coun Stables added: "This issue is so much bigger than one development.

“With so many significant housing proposals in the pipeline around Wetherby, we need to know what their cumulative pressure will be on our sewage infrastructure.

"If hundreds more homes are proposed, where is the infrastructure plan to support them?

“What upgrades are needed, when will they happen, and what implications could all this growth have for the Wharfe?

"Wetherby needs homes, but development cannot come at the expense of our river.

"And don’t forget, the impact of North Yorkshire Council’s planning decision will reach far beyond this one development, because it could impact the River Wharfe, which runs through North Yorkshire and ultimately into the Ouse.”

North Yorkshire officers stated in planning documents: “ Yorkshire Water object to the proposal due to the foul water proposals stating that the local public sewer network serving Wetherby does not have adequate capacity and therefore object on the grounds of flood risk, pollution and public health.

“However, if planning permission is granted they have recommended conditions regarding a protection strip, tree planting locations, no piped discharge of surface water, and submission of a foul water sewerage scheme.”

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

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

Hallam were approached for a comment on the plans which are near a 325-housing development at Spofforth Park estate.