Multi-million pound grant backing agreed to help deliver at least 2,000 homes

Plans for more than 2,000 new homes to the west of Harrogate should be supported with a £6.8m grant to fund the infrastructure essential to the development – including roads and schools.

North Yorkshire councillors have agreed to accept an interest free loan from Homes England’s Brownfield Infrastructure and Land (BIL) Fund which will kickstart the transport and education elements of the Harrogate development.

So far, three planning applications for new homes have been approved and another is pending with a start on site expected later this year.

The current Local Plan for the West Harrogate area has identified sites for new housing, employment and schools as well as the infrastructure that is needed for large developments including transport provision and open spaces.

These elements are normally part-funded through Section 106 money paid by the developers as part of any project to fund infrastructure.

However, the Brownfield Infrastructure and Land money is due to allow North Yorkshire Council to fund these elements of the scheme at an early stage and will be repaid as it progresses and developer contributions are received.

Executive member for open to business, Councillor Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include planning policy and the Local Plan, said: “Delivering sustainable housing and economic growth is at the heart of our new planning service.

“Securing this £6,780,994 from Homes England would allow us to fund the early delivery of the infrastructure essential in any large-scale development – including schools and transport links such as walking and cycling provision.

“We want to help create sustainable new communities, places that existing and future residents can be proud of from the very moment they move in.”

The council has been working with developers on proposals for about 2,000 new homes and development for employment, looking at community facilities and services.

This includes primary school provision, local centres, sports pitches, open spaces, bus routes, footpaths and cycleways.

Cllr Crane added: “We are very much ‘open to business’. By securing this funding we will be able to show how we are able to work with the development industry and Homes England to support high quality schemes with infrastructure at their heart.

“Thriving communities depend on affordable, high-quality housing and we are committed to working with stakeholders to deliver this.”

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive have given the go-ahead for officers to accept the funding, which is now to be considered for approval by Homes England.