Formal consultation on Harrogate’s Local Plan to get under way

Formal consultation is set to open on plans for future housing and employment across Harrogate this week.

A final consultation into the Local Plan begins on Friday after full council approved the draft publication version when it met in December and later this year, it will be submitted to government for review.

Before that, the six-week long consultation will give residents, business leaders, developers and anyone with an interest in the district the opportunity to have a final say.

The consultation is being run on behalf of the independent planning inspector and is a formal stage of the process towards adopting the plan in 2019.

Harrogate’s local plan is a 20-year vision and suggests sites where new homes and jobs could be created and considers the infrastructure required to ensure new developments can be properly supported.

Harrogate Borough Council said the plan also tackles a number of issues facing the district, including a lack of affordable housing.

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, cabinet member with responsibility for planning, said: “The local plan is fundamental to Harrogate because it sets out how we will manage future development in our district.
“It will help us tackle several major issues, not least a lack of homes which are affordable to people who want to live, work and raise a family here.

“We also need to grow the district’s economy for the benefit of everyone.

“I urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation – especially if you’ve not done so before – and show your support for this crucial plan.”

More details of the consultation can be found here: consult.harrogate.gov.uk/portal from Friday 26 January until Friday 9 March.