Heronby: Plans for 3,500-home 'new town' in Yorkshire to go on public display

Updated plans for a proposed new 3,500-home community between York and Selby are set to go on public display later this month.

The latest proposals for Heronby, which would be built on land owned by Escrick Park Estate to the south-west of Escrick, will be showcased at a public exhibition on Thursday, October 15.

The event comes as the project team prepares to submit an outline planning application to North Yorkshire Council towards the end of the year.

Initial proposals for the new settlement were unveiled in 2021, but the developers say the latest plans have been shaped by work carried out over the five years since.

As well as 3,500 homes, the proposals envisage a new community with supporting infrastructure including schools, play areas, shops and leisure facilities.

Organisers are particularly encouraging younger people struggling to get onto the housing ladder — described as the “limbo generation” — to attend the exhibition and give their views.

Beilby Forbes Adam, from Escrick Park Estate, said: “This will be a new North Yorkshire community, so we are keen to hear from young people who are likely to be the first people to move to Heronby.

“We want to hear their ideas so hopefully we can shape the new community to meet their needs.

“They have been called the ‘limbo generation’ because they are stuck in limbo and can’t find a place where they can get on the housing ladder.”

Mr Forbes Adam stressed the development would not result in thousands of homes being built immediately.

He added: “Heronby won’t solve North Yorkshire’s housing crisis on its own, and it certainly won’t mean thousands of new homes arriving in just a couple of years.

“But it will set high standards and show what can be achieved by a rural estate such as Escrick Park when it comes to quality placemaking.

“It won’t be simply housing. We will also deliver the infrastructure — the schools, play areas, retail outlets, leisure and other facilities — that people need every day.”

The project team has already submitted some details of the proposals to North Yorkshire Council and says feedback from the public, councils and other organisations will be considered before the outline application is finalised.

The exhibition will take place at Escrick & Deighton Club, YO19 6LQ, from 1.30pm until 7pm on Thursday, October 15.

There is no need to book.