Housing development plans at former £100m golf resort to be lodged

Plans to transform a disused golf course into a “sustainable new community” near Knaresborough, with thousands of homes and improved transport links including a new rail station, will be submitted this month.

The 430-acre site near Knaresborough was acquired in 2016 by Flaxby Park Ltd which is owned by businesswoman and philanthropist Ann Gloag and regeneration experts Chris Musgrave and Trevor Cartner.

They now plan to deliver an ambitious multi-million-pound new settlement plan that they say will unlock the site’s potential, meet local housing need and boost the area’s economy.

The planning application follows more than a year of discussions with Harrogate Borough Council.

With plans for up to 3,000 jobs at neighbouring Flaxby Green Park – the £85m technology focused science park granted planning consent in September – the developers said “these are exciting times for Harrogate’s future growth”.

Previously, the site looked set to become a hotel development but TheBusinessDesk.com earlier this year reported that those plans had collapsed and that the property director had gone bankrupt.

Once the new plans for Flaxby Park are submitted a period of statutory consultation managed by Harrogate Borough Council will begin giving residents and a range of organisations a further chance to have their say.

The planning application, which will be available to view on the council’s website, will include the following:
·         2,750 home
·         A new village centre plus two primary schools and sports facilities
·         Improved access including a £4m roundabout at the entrance to the site
·         A new rail station, offering direct links to Leeds and York
The new scheme has been designed by a team of consultants, including local, respected including architects, Wildblood Macdonald.

Chris Musgrave, shareholder, Flaxby Park, said: “We have listened closely to what stakeholders and the public have told us over many months, resulting in a planning application that sets the template for excellence in 21st century living.

“Thanks to their input and the hard work of our talented award-winning project team, we have finessed our vision of a self-sustaining community in a country park setting.
“In almost every category, Flaxby Park scores highly as the right location for a development that will grow with Harrogate. It’s the right development in the right place and we are ready to deliver.”

Michael Wildblood said: “Wildblood Macdonald Architects have brought our experience of living and designing developments in the Harrogate area for over 40 years to produce a design that is ideally suitable for its location in Flaxby and for local people.

“We have combined our skills with the experience of our clients, Flaxby Park Ltd, the expertise of the rest of the design team, and comments from all of those consulted, to produce what could become an absolutely delightful place to live and work.”