Councillors to reconsider plans for Eggborough 1,500-home development
The scheme still includes just ten per cent affordable housing, despite previous criticism from committee members
Plans for up to 1,500 homes in Eggborough will go back before councillors next week with no commitment from the developer to build more affordable homes.
Members of the council’s strategic planning committee deferred the outline application for land at Weeland Road in May, describing the proposal for ten per cent affordable housing as “absolutely abysmal”.
However, councillors are again being recommended to approve the scheme —despite no increase in the affordable housing provision.
The Banks Group, which is behind the plans, has maintained that the proposed level of affordable housing is the maximum the scheme can support while remaining financially viable.
A report prepared for the meeting on Tuesday said: “Members expressed concern that the proposed provision of ten per cent affordable housing was not commensurate with the scale of development and queried whether a higher percentage should be secured.
“In response to the committee’s resolution, the applicant has submitted further information. These documents reiterate the applicant’s position that the proposed ten per cent affordable housing provision remains policy-compliant and supported by the most recent viability evidence.”
A revised viability assessment has been independently reviewed on behalf of North Yorkshire Council and officers continue to conclude that requiring additional affordable homes would make the development unviable.
The application seeks outline permission for a major mixed-use development comprising up to 1,500 homes, together with a primary school, local centre, employment land, public open space, sports pitches and associated infrastructure.
The committee report states that the independent review supports the developer’s position and that the proposed Section 106 agreement would continue to secure the ten per cent affordable housing provision alongside contributions towards education, highways, healthcare, open space and other local infrastructure.
If approved, the development would become one of the largest housing schemes in North Yorkshire and would be built over a number of phases.
Council officers continue to recommend that the application is approved.