Decision delayed on plans for 2,750 homes at former golf course site

A DECISION on plans for 2,750 homes at a former Harrogate golf course has been delayed after the developers behind the scheme complained they were not told it was up for discussion.

Harrogate Borough Council was due to run the rule over proposals to build on Flaxby Golf Course at a virtual meeting today but a “technical error” by the council meant the developers were not informed of the date.

The plans from Flaxby Park Ltd – first submitted almost three years ago – have been recommended for refusal and will now be considered on October 13.

It comes as the developers are preparing for a judicial review against the council over its decision to leave the proposals out of Harrogate’s Local Plan.

Flaxby Park Ltd will challenge the council in the High Court later this month after the authority choose the Green Hammerton area as a preferred location for a huge housing settlement ahead of Flaxby Golf Course.

Chris Musgrave, chief executive of Flaxby Park Ltd, complained that the planning decision should be taken after the judicial review.

However, the council said the two issues are separate and that it would not allow any further delays.

r Musgrave said this was

“nonsense” and that the legal battle could be a “game changer” for the district’s Local Plan.

The judicial review will take place on October 27, 28 and 29 in London where a judge will decide if the council’s decision to leave Flaxby Park out of the Local Plan was lawful.

Mr Musgrave claimed the council’s decision was based on “flawed information of a scant, conflicting and contradictory nature”.

The proposals for Flaxby Golf Course include 2,750 homes, two primary schools, commercial space including a hotel, and a former train station in the area being brought back into use.