Nearly 400 objections have been lodged against proposed housing developments in Killinghall.
If approved, the applications would allow for around 450 new homes to be built.
The proposals come alongside the emerging Local Plan, which identifies 28 possible development sites across the wider parish of Killinghall, with capacity for up to 5,600 homes over the plan period.
Local residents and campaigners argue that the current applications are being brought forward without sufficient coordination and before wider infrastructure issues have been addressed.
They say the cumulative impact of multiple developments risks placing additional pressure on roads, schools and other services.
James Houseman at Killinghall Together, a community action group representing local residents, said:
“We are deeply concerned about whether Killinghall can cope with this level of growth.
"Our roads are already congested, our primary school is under pressure, the GP surgery has closed, and local amenities are extremely limited.
"Without a coordinated plan, this scale of development risks changing our village forever.”
Objections submitted to the planning authority highlight a number of recurring themes.
Residents dispute Killinghall’s classification as a Tier 4 Neighbourhood Service Centre in the emerging Local Plan, arguing that the village has limited facilities, including one convenience store, a village hall, a cricket club and two churches.
They say that any further housing should be accompanied by clear and enforceable commitments to new or improved infrastructure through planning obligations.
Traffic and road safety are also a major concern. Residents report increased congestion on the A61 Ripon Road and the B6161 Otley Road, as well as problems with speeding and unsafe junctions.
Objectors argue that additional housing would add to these pressures unless transport planning takes full account of cumulative impacts and delivers improvements such as safer crossings, better footpaths and cycleways, traffic calming measures and more reliable public transport.
The potential effect on landscape and village identity has also been raised. Some residents fear that continued expansion could reduce Killinghall’s rural character and lead to coalescence with Harrogate.
Calls have been made for the protection of green gaps and the provision of accessible green spaces that also support wildlife.
Environmental issues feature prominently in the objections, with residents citing concerns about noise and air quality linked to rising traffic levels. They argue that environmental and ecological assessments should fully address cumulative impacts and include clear mitigation measures before decisions are taken.
Killinghall Together has said it is not opposed to development in principle but wants growth to be proportionate and carefully planned.
The group says it is seeking to work constructively with planners and decision-makers to ensure that future development is supported by adequate infrastructure and protects both the environment and the quality of life of existing residents.
The planning applications will be considered by the local planning authority, which will assess them against national planning policy, the emerging Local Plan and feedback from statutory consultees and members of the public before reaching a decision.
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