A decision on controversial plans for up to 210 new homes on the edge of Wetherby is set to be delayed after claims the officer’s report recommending approval contains “contradictions and omissions”.
North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee had been due to determine Hallam Land’s outline application for the development on land off Harrogate Road at its meeting on Tuesday next week.
However, officers have now advised councillors to postpone consideration of the scheme to allow time to fully assess a number of issues raised after the publication of the committee report.
The proposal seeks outline permission for up to 210 homes, with all matters reserved except for access, which would be taken from the A661.
In an update to councillors, officers say several late representations have been received challenging aspects of the published report.
They add that the “volume and substance” of the submissions mean more time is needed to properly consider the points before the application is determined.
One of the representations was made by Wetherby Civic Society, which has called for the application to be deferred while its concerns are addressed.
Although the site is within North Yorkshire, the society argues the development would place significant pressure on services in neighbouring Wetherby, including roads, schools and GP surgeries, which fall within Leeds.
The group has submitted what it describes as a 15-point request for deferral, claiming the committee report contains inconsistencies over the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land.
It says one section of the report concludes the development complies with the local plan policy, while another states it conflicts with the same policy.
The society has also questioned the council’s assessment of housing land supply, arguing the figures published in the report appear to indicate a 2.8-year supply rather than the 2.2 years stated by officers.
Other concerns include the inclusion of a speed camera among the scheme’s benefits despite it not being secured through the proposed planning conditions, and what the society says is the absence of an NHS capacity assessment or healthcare contribution.
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 breath-taking.
“The committee has no choice other than to remit the application for these to be corrected or to refuse the application.”
Vice-chair Malcolm Gardner said the society was not opposed to new housing but wanted councillors to make their decision based on accurate information.
He said:
“We are not asking councillors to reject new homes.
“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 outline application is next to the 325-home Spofforth Park development.
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