A scheme to build 38 homes in Gargrave will go ahead after councillors granted planning permission this afternoon.
Skipton and Ripon’s planning committee met at Belle Vue Square in Skipton to consider the plans by R N Wooler and Co Ltd. It followed a previous bid for housing on the site that was deferred in June.
At that meeting, councillors voiced concerns about pedestrians walking on the busy Marton Road.
They also heard that a dairy farm near the site recently intensified its operations which has resulted in a large increase in agricultural traffic.
Objectors have insisted it will be dangerous for residents wanting to walk to and from the village.
Since the previous deferral, the developer has agreed to create a footpath on a section of Marton Road.
However, this was not enough to convince all with Helen Johnson telling councillors the footpath would do little to improve pedestrian safety.
Similarly, Gregory Butt from Gargrave Parish Council said no decision should be made until an independent traffic study could be carried out.
Planning agent Jamie Pert said the developer had been in “productive dialogue” with the council since the deferral.
He added:
“The proposal will not be a detriment to pedestrian safety but a new footpath will be provided to enhance pedestrian linkages and connect the site to existing footpaths.”
The footpath will run on the northern side of the road which will allow footfall from the new development to use the new link to Walton Close, cross Marton Road and progress to the existing footpath alongside the river.
Cllr Robert Heseltine (Conservative & Independent Group, Skipton East & South) said he was happy to vote for approval after being satisfied that officers had listened to the concerns of councillors at the previous meeting.
He added:
“I sincerely hope that residents of Gargrave will welcome their new neighbours warmly and with kindness. It’s a tremendously well-respected community. Its new and old population can surely live together in harmony.”
The committee chair Cllr Nathan Hull (Conservative, Washburn & Birstwith) said the addition of the footpath was a positive example of planning committees improving an application.
He said:
“People may think planning committees just rubber-stamp recommendations but this would have gone through without the footpath if we hadn’t deferred it. We’ve taken a difficult and unpopular application and got some positive things out of it.”
The plans were approved by three votes to none with two abstentions.
Global Microsoft outage causes disruption to councils and schools in North Yorkshire
Two Keighley neighbours win £377,224 each in Postcode Lottery draw
Meet the family behind Drift - Skipton's new restaurant
Skipton MP backs Conservative welfare reform plan
Hundreds of donated spectacles handed over in Skipton
Royal Oak pub reopens under new management with plans for major changes
New Cats Protection superstore to open in Skipton this month
North Yorkshire Council cancels planning meetings amid new government rules
Skipton Repair Café volunteers fix 81 items in one day
Christmas toy appeal launches to help families across Skipton
Kex Gill A59 traffic restrictions expected to be lifted in early December
Talks continue over future of Settle dairy site
Work begins at former Gargrave care home earmarked for 16 affordable homes
Council accused of 'illusion of listening' over school transport consultation
North Yorkshire councillors to vote on next chief executive
Skipton keeps its place among Britain's 10 happiest places to live
Local care provider celebrates double win at Bradford Care Awards
Veterans selling poppies on Northern trains say support from passengers has been 'heartwarming'
Skipton MP raises concerns over proposed visitor levy and impact on rural tourism
£1million of Keighley Cougars stadium funding redirected to Cavendish Street improvements
