Agenda item

Stephen Clark summarised the report which set out the Forums formal agreement, by correspondence, to a response on the proposed modifications to new settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document, which concerned plans for a new settlement that included at least 3000 residential units, located between York and Harrogate near to Cattal. 

Members noted that formally the plans for the settlement had been set out in a Harrogate District Development Plan Document (DPD) which was published in 2022 and at that time the NYLAF had responded to a consultation on those plans.  The original vision set out for the Maltkiln settlement was that it would be "a place where people were not dependent on a car".  It would have a network of safe and attractive walking and cycling routes which connected people, places and facilities, including nearby villages.  It would have "attractive and accessible green spaces both within and around the village, provide increased space for nature, as well as placing recreational opportunities close to the community."  These elements of the vision were much in line with the NYLAF’s own objectives of seeking improvements to public access for the purposes of open-air recreation and enjoyment, and utility or functional access.  

In autumn 2024 the DPD was the subject of a review by the Planning Inspectorate.  Since then, and following set out processes, “Main Modifications” to the DPD were proposed by North Yorkshire Council (NYC) in January 2025.  Following this a six-week consultation by NYC on the “New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document, Schedule of Main Modifications” was run from 10 February to 24 March 2025, with the consultation defined narrowly around the modifications to the plans.  

In light of the significance and scale of the plans, Mr Clark had volunteered to research and draft a response on the proposals on behalf of the Forum as the consultation ended on the 24 March 2025, prior to the next meeting of the Forum. A draft response was formulated by correspondence between forum members in February and March 2025, with the final response and representation forms, which could be seen in the Appendix to the report, being agreed by email in March 2025.

Mr Clark explained that he had compared the proposed modification document with the original vision for the settlement as set out in the Harrogate District Development Plan Document (DPD).  This comparison raised concerns as the modifications appeared to shift the plans away from Harrogate’s original vision of a village not dependant on cars, with walking & cycling routes to ensure connectivity.

Members heard that the Planning Inspectorate was in the process of finalising its report, which could be published as early as summer 2025.  Mr Clark advised that once the document became available, he would analyse the content and provide an update to the NYLAF, outlining whether their representations had been reflected in the final planning documents.

Mr Clark thanked Members for their contributions, and the Chair expressed appreciation to Mr Clark for his efforts on this important piece of work.

Resolved

That the response to the consultation be noted.