Decision details

Officers are recommending approval of the West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy (WHIDS). It has been prepared in order establish the timing and delivery of the infrastructure to support the development sites in West Harrogate. This work will inform the section106 requirements aiding efficient determination of planning applications.
It includes estimated phasing, build-out trajectories and apportionment of costs. The strategy documents can be used as a tool for delivery of the developments and their associated infrastructure by relevant authorities, service providers and developers.
Officers are recommending an update to the current West Harrogate Parameters Plan (WHPP) Appendix A (approved in February 2022).

i) Agree the West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy for the purposes of information and guidance to officers and members of North Yorkshire Council in
determining planning applications at West Harrogate and in delivery of strategic infrastructure associated with housing and employment delivery at West Harrogate.
Publish the document on the Council website.

ii) Agree, an update to the Infrastructure Delivery Schedule (IDS) in relation to transportation infrastructure, health centre infrastructure and sport and open space
infrastructure associated with the West Harrogate development. Publish the update on the Council website.

The West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy (WHIDS) will:

a) provide clarity, transparency and consistency in the allocation, apportionment and spending of money secured via future s106 and planning conditions for development sites in West Harrogate.
b) ensure s106 funds serve the purpose of supporting the delivery of the infrastructure necessary to support the development requirements set out the adopted Harrogate District Local Plan and the approved West Harrogate Parameters Plan.
c) Set out the delivery mechanisms for different types of infrastructure being provided to support the housing and employment schemes at West Harrogate.

Updating the Infrastructure Deliver Schedule (IDS) is to reflect the work on the transport infrastructure, health centre provision and sport and open space that was not available when the West Harrogate Parameters Plan (WHPP) was signed off by Harrogate Borough Council in Feb 2022. The IDS will help to inform the content of the s106 agreements for the relevant sites and applications at West Harrogate.

To not provide and publish an infrastructure delivery strategy for West Harrogate. This has been discounted as it would risk the completion of the associated s106 agreements for each application being inconsistent and potentially unsigned. Without clarity and transparency on the strategic tariff approach and apportionment of off-site transport fees; infrastructure provision may be challenged or significantly delayed.

To not provide an update to the IDS would not help to set out the considerable technical work carried out through collaborative working with the site promoters on the off-site transport mitigation. It would not reflect the delivery proposals for healthcare being worked up by the Integrated Care Board. It would not consolidate the sport and open space infrastructure information. These all provide helpful clarification to aid consideration of future planning applications and delivery resourcing implications.