Latest plans for 3,500-property community set to go public

Plans for a new community for North Yorkshire are going on show this month.

Ideas for the proposed new settlement of Heronby, on land owned by Escrick Park Estate, will be showcased at an exhibition in Escrick.

Organisers say they hope members of the “limbo generation” – young people who are finding it difficult to get on the housing ladder – will be able to share their views.

Heronby, a new community of 3,500 properties, would sit to the south west of Escrick roughly half-way between York to the north and Selby to the south.

Initial proposals for Heronby were first shared with the public in 2021, and now five years later the team is preparing to submit an outline planning application to North Yorkshire Council.

Beilby Forbes Adam, from Escrick Park Estate, said: “This will be a new North Yorkshire community, so we are keen to hear from young people who are likely to be the first people to move to Heronby.

“We want to hear their ideas so hopefully we can shape the new community to meet their needs.

“Heronby won’t solve North Yorkshire’s housing crisis on its own, and it certainly won’t mean thousands of new homes arriving in just a couple of years.

“But it will set high standards and show what can be achieved by a rural estate such as Escrick Park when it comes to quality placemaking.

“It won’t be simply housing. We will also deliver the infrastructure – the schools, play areas, retail outlets, leisure and other facilities – that people need every day.”

The project team has submitted some details to North Yorkshire Council and will be considering feedback from the public, councils and other organisations before producing an outline planning application towards the end of the year.

The exhibition will be at the Escrick & Deighton Club, YO19 6LQ, on 15 October, and will be open to the public from 1.30pm to 7pm. Booking is not required.

All information available at the exhibition will be online on the project website, www.heronby.co.uk, from that date, along with a feedback questionnaire.