Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Lacey, Councillor Andrew Timothy attended as his substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

To determine a planning application for full planning permission for the development of ten industrial units (use class Eg(iii)/B2/B8) with ancillary offices, yard space, parking, servicing areas, drainage infrastructure, electricity substation, landscaping, associated infrastructure, engineering works to create landscaped bund, and solar panels on land to the West of Harrogate West Business Park, Burley Bank Road, Harrogate. 

The application had been brought to Planning Committee due to a recommendation of approval of the development, which was in conflict with the Local Plan.

The Development Management Team Manager presented the report and highlighted the location and site description and the context to the application.

Providing an update to the report, the officer advised Members of the following.

·  There had been a slight amendment to Condition 20 in terms of the flow rate from the site – with the addition of the wording, “and 2.5 litres per second for the highway”.

·  The site plan listed in Condition 2 had been amended to include bicycle and motorcycle numbers, and the access to units 7 to 10 had been adjusted following comments received from North Yorkshire Highways.

Councillor Haslam formally recorded his appreciation to the planning officers for presenting the application to Committee, noting that the officer recommendation for approval was contrary to the Local Plan.  Councillor Haslam added that such matters should always be referred to Members when officers proposed a recommendation that did not align with the Local Plan, in order to seek Member support.

Christopher Dunn spoke, objecting to the application.

The applicant, Daniel Martin, spoke in support of the application.

Members asked questions to the Officer which related to the following.

· Members noted the Parish Council’s request, made on road safety grounds, to prohibit left turns onto Burley Bank Road in order to redirect heavy goods vehicles via Penny Pot Lane.  It was further queried whether Members could request a condition to ensure this recommendation was implemented.

· Members requested confirmation that no objections had been raised by the Parish Council and that the site was located outside the green belt.

· In relation to sustainable drainage, Members queried whether permeable materials would be used for ground surfaces and whether the scheme incorporated grey water recycling.

· Members welcomed the inclusion of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) on the whole site but sought clarification on whether the generated energy would be utilised on each individual unit, or if it would be sold on to serve local needs.

· Clarification was sought regarding the number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points to be provided on the site and the measures in place to support electric vehicle use on the site.

· Further details were requested on the allocation and intended use of the £100,000 Section 106 contribution towards the bus service.

· Whether the site would be served by both gas and electricity.

· Members queried whether the identified need for industrial units reflected demand across the whole of North Yorkshire or was limited to the former Harrogate area.

Members acknowledged that the site was not allocated within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were no other items

Tuesday, 16 December 2025 at 2.00pm.

Tuesday 16 December 2025 at 2.00 pm