Developer unveils plans for new village between Harrogate and York

Thousands of homes could be created as proposals for a new village near a train station between Harrogate and York have been put forward.

The village, provisionally called Maltkiln, is located to the south of the A59 and would include around 3,000 new homes centered around the existing Cattal railway station.

Wetherby-based Oakgate Group has put the plans forward as part of Harrogate Borough Council’s current Local Plan process.

The proposed infrastructure includes a new roundabout on the A59 to access the village, a new primary school, new road and pedestrian bridges over the railway line to enable the closure of the existing level crossing at Cattal station, complementary community facilities and employment space suitable for a variety of business types and sizes.

Richard France, managing director of Oakgate Group, says: “This is the best opportunity to locate a highly accessible and sustainable new settlement to meet the current and future housing needs of the district.

“There is no doubt in my mind this is the ideal location for a new settlement having many benefits, and less constraints, than the other new settlement options that have been put forward.

“Improvements are already planned for the Harrogate – York railway service and Cattal railway station so our proposed village would provide a focus for implementing these improvements and enable additional enhancements to the facilities at the station. Our proposals are also very well aligned with the recently announced plans to improve junction 47 of the A1(M), which are being developed to accommodate long term growth in the district.

“We expect the masterplan to evolve throughout the Local Plan and subsequent planning process, and would welcome the thoughts of individuals, businesses and community groups as we continue to develop and refine our proposals.

“We want to deliver a truly sustainable, high quality new village that meets the full range of housing needs and is something the whole community can be proud of.”

It’s expected that the proposals will go out to further public consultation in the summer.