(Image: File pic.)
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Campaigners opposing plans for a new 3,500-home community between York and Selby have questioned whether the infrastructure needed to support the development can be delivered.
The Halt Heronby Action Group has outlined its criticism of the proposed settlement ahead of a public exhibition next week where updated plans will be unveiled.
Heronby is proposed on land owned by Escrick Park Estate to the south-west of Escrick, with an outline planning application expected to be submitted to North Yorkshire Council towards the end of the year.
The developers say the scheme would provide 3,500 homes alongside infrastructure including schools, play areas, shops and leisure facilities.
They are particularly encouraging younger people struggling to get onto the housing ladder — described as the “limbo generation” — to give their views.
But Halt Heronby, which includes residents from Riccall, Escrick, Stillingfleet and Deighton, as well as parish councils and local landowners, claims important questions about traffic, infrastructure and the deliverability of the development remain unanswered.
An artist's impression of the proposed Heronby development. (Image: File pic.)
The group said: “There is an irony here. Heronby itself has spent years in limbo because fundamental questions about traffic, infrastructure and deliverability were never satisfactorily answered.”
Campaigners also pointed to the history of the proposals, saying an earlier version was removed from the Local Plan following concerns from City of York Council and highways authorities, including National Highways.
The group said the latest proposals included promises of schools, healthcare, park-and-ride facilities and major road improvements, but questioned how these would be funded and delivered.
It added: “It is not enough to say that schools, healthcare, park-and-ride facilities and major road improvements are proposed.
“There must be a realistic funding mechanism, a responsible authority, secured contributions and a clear timetable for delivery.”
The campaigners also stressed that while they accepted more housing was needed, they did not believe this meant every greenfield location was suitable.
“If Heronby really has solved the problems that previously stopped it being included in the Local Plan, let the evidence prove it,” the group added.
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The developers have previously stressed that the project would be delivered over a long period rather than seeing thousands of homes constructed at once.
The project team says work carried out since the original proposals were unveiled in 2021 has helped shape the latest plans, and feedback from residents, councils and other organisations will be considered before the outline application is finalised.
The updated proposals will go on display at Escrick & Deighton Club from 1.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, October 15.