Residential schemes recommended for approval

Two planning applications that together propose the construction of more than 140 homes on sites in North Yorkshire are recommended for approval next week.An outline application from Opus North for a development on a site at Massey Fold, Spofforth, will go before Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee.The company is proposing the construction of 72 houses, with 40 per cent of these set to be affordable housing.Plans for 84 properties were originally lodged, but the number of units has been reduced due to concerns over the impact of the scheme.The council has received more than 200 objections to original and updated plans, with concerns including the impact on the village and the number of houses proposed.Despite the objections, a planning officer’s report prepared for the meeting has recommended that councillors defer and approve the plans, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement.An application from Strata Homes for a residential development on a site in Dishforth will also be considered at the meeting.The reserved matters application proposes the construction of 72 houses, with a mix of detached and semi-detached properties of between one and five bedrooms.Landscaping, public open space, affordable housing, and the provision of a car park and access for Dishforth Primary School is also included.A previous reserve matters application was refused in April 2018 due to concerns that the development would not respect the character of the area. Following this decision, five two-bedroom bungalows have been added to the scheme.The new plans are also recommended for approval in a planning officer’s report.