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Despite objections from 52 local residents, Terra Green Yorkshire’s (TGY) outline application for dozens of houses south of Mayfield Road in Whitby could be approved next week. Last month, members of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee deferred a decision on the scheme as there were “an awful lot of question marks” in the plan. The proposal for “all matters reserved except access” has been recommended for approval at the committee’s next meeting on Thursday, November 13. The site is located on land between Resolution Way and Pembroke Way in Whitby. Neighbours and local residents have objected to the scheme over concerns about the scale of affordable housing provision, the impact on nearby bed and breakfasts from construction, loss of property values, an increased flood risk, and the impact on wildlife and protected species. However, planners said there was no strong reason for resisting the proposal and noted that “the adverse impacts of granting permission would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”. The council has also recommended several S106 developer contributions if the scheme is approved, including £2,500 towards the costs of a traffic regulation order, £2,500 towards monitoring of the travel plan, and £2,522 for biodiversity net gain monitoring. A 30 per cent affordable housing allocation will also be required, of which 70 per cent would be rented and the rest low-cost home ownership/shared ownership. Annabel Parkinson, agent for the application, recently told councillors: “As well as delivering much-needed market and affordable homes in the context of underdelivery, the development will result in a significant section 106 package.” The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said that the proposal would directly impact Whitby Group Practice, approximately 0.9 miles from the site. “An indicative proposal for 54 dwellings would result in an additional population of approximately 124 people,” it said, adding: “The practice does not have the capacity to accommodate growth from the proposal. “£33,144 is required towards improvements to capacity, by way of improvements to, reconfiguration of, or extension of Whitby Group Practice or providing additional resources for a new build health development.” North Yorkshire Council has said the developer should pay £613.77 per dwelling to support Whitby Group Practice. In a report prepared for councillors, Whitby and Esk Valley Active Travel highlighted that the submitted “transport assessment addendum suggests a route for cyclists to connect to the Cinder Track that is unsuitable for cyclists due to steps and the slope/terrain.” It said that “alternatively, contributions should be secured to enable reuse of an old bridge over the Cinder Track to enable cycle access”. At the previous planning committee meeting, local residents said they were seeking specialist advice regarding restrictive covenants on the site. However, officers said that “the technical matters raised are either dealt with by the recommended conditions or are immaterial.” Members of the public are invited to attend the planning meeting at Scarborough Town Hall on Thursday, November 13, at 2pm.
