Building new towns and villages in North Yorkshire is the only way the county will hit its new housing targets, senior councillors say.
The comments were made as members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive committee gave their approval to a development plan document (DPD) which sets out the framework for the proposed Maltkiln village.
Plans for the new settlement, which would be centred around Cattal railway station, between York and Harrogate, will next be debated by the authority’s full council next month.
Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for open to business, said he was very supportive of new settlements.
“They are the only way long-term that we will deliver the housing numbers that we need, and they take some of the pressure off villages and towns.
“I just want to remind all members both in the room and on the council that these things will not happen overnight.
“Another Maltkiln will not happen for many, many years to come. This Maltkiln hasn’t happened yet.
“We’ve still got some opposition to it from some parties, but I believe it’s a good site and will deliver much-needed housing to North Yorkshire.”
Executive member for housing, Councillor Simon Myers also backed the development.
He added:
“It’s always been my view that one of the only ways that we can meet the requirements of North Yorkshire and new housing in the future is to look at new settlements.
“Planning becomes a contentious issue, particularly when we are continually building on to existing settlements with limited infrastructure, and limited room for improvement of things like highways and services.
“So the idea that we can, as they as they did in the 18th century, as they did in the 19th century, as they did in the in the Post-War years, create new settlements that are purpose-built for contemporary living with the services built in there, is really the way forward.
“And it’s a great regret that everything takes so long because the problem for North Yorkshire now is, whether we like it or not and most of us don’t like it, the new housing targets that the government has given us of 4,200 houses a year.”
Areas for employment and education are planned, as well as health, shops and community services.
The original scheme was for 4,000 new homes, but this was reduced to ‘at least 3,000’ after a landowner pulled out.
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