Persimmon Homes will pay more than £1m to local schools including Grove Road and Harrogate Grammar School.
162-home Kingsley Drive developer to pay £1m towards local schools Persimmon Homes will pay more than £1m to local schools including Grove Road and Harrogate Grammar School after North Yorkshire Council gave final approval for the 162-home Kingsley Drive development. One of the last acts of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in February was to approve the controversial plans, subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement. The agreement between the council and developer has now been agreed and covers Persimmon’s contribution to public services that the future residents will use such as education, roads as well as affordable housing. According to a report written by planning officer Kate Broadbank, Permimmon will pay £600,000 to Grove Road Primary School, £400,000 to high schools HGS, Harrogate High and Rossett and £120,000 for early years provision. The developer will also pay £220,000 to the NHS for healthcare costs, £150,000 towards Kingsley Drive being resurfaced and an £80,000 contribution towards a new mini roundabout being buult at the junction of Kingsley Road and the A59. The site is allocated for development in the Harrogate local plan, which maps out where housebuilding can take place in the district and remains in use until North Yorkshire Councils agree its new county-wide plan. The Kingsley proposals were unpopular with local residents who protested outside the Civic Centre before the planning committee meeting wearing t-shirts branded with slogans like “enough is enough” and “breaking point”. Many of the objections centred on nearby roads like like Knaresborough Road and Bogs Lane and how they will cope with the increased traffic from new residents. Around 500 homes could be built in the area if plans by different developers are eventually built. Persimmon has included two access points for vehicles on Kingsley Drive, one to the west of Birstwith Road and one midway between Leyland Road and Rydal Road. The first 92 homes will include air source heat pumps to provide 100% of the heating and hot water. The remaining properties will have conventional gas boilers, however, the developer says these will be supplemented by solar panels and waste water heat recovery, which recycles energy in wastewater to pre-heat the mains cold supply before it is boosted by the boiler. The scheme would also include 65 affordable homes through a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership sales. By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

Harrogate duo take on 60km challenge to raise awareness of men's mental health
Hotel du Vin Harrogate to offer chef apprenticeships in new academy expansion
Harrogate's Starling invests £10,000 in kitchen ahead of new menu launch
Harrogate school's pyjama day raises £940 for Martin House
Grantley Hall wins Condé Nast award for garden design
Harrogate tanning salon welcomes new owner
Bramham Park to welcome Helen Skelton for Christmas market debut
Veterans selling poppies on Northern trains say support from passengers has been 'heartwarming'
Knaresborough lingerie shop wins national body confidence award
Starbeck Tandoori named regional Restaurant of the Year
Police increase patrols after burglaries in Harrogate and Pannal
Harrogate's West Park Hotel to launch Alpine-inspired winter courtyard
Spire Harrogate Clinic rated 'Good' following CQC inspection
Harewood House reveals first look at new Christmas experience
Harrogate art exhibition highlights campaign to protect vulnerable adults
Winners revealed for Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards
Bettys in Harrogate set to unveil Christmas window
Overnight A59 closures planned as Kex Gill road works reach final stages
Harrogate School of Swimming to launch lessons at Ashville College
New cafe and bistro opens on Harrogate's Regent Parade


