York Council’s Planning Committee approved Redrow Homes Ltd’s application for 314 houses which are set to be built south of North Lane and west of the A1237.
The developer’s agent Jennie Hambridge said Redrow Homes had the necessary strategic experience to deliver the development which forms part of the first phase of the Monks Cross Garden Village.
Huntington’s Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Cullwick said the development was set to be the biggest locally for decades but concerns about the mix of homes and access remained.
The plans, which were approved on Thursday, October 9, make up part of the first of three phases of a garden village set to feature up to 970 homes.
A master plan for the whole scheme was approved in 2022 after the then Conservative Government stepped in following an appeal from the developer to the Planning Inspectorate.
The plans, which were first submitted in 2018, were approved after it was ruled that the council had taken too long to decide on them.
The application approved on Thursday covers the northern part of the site and it is set to be followed by central and southern sections in later reserve matters plans.
A new community hub, shops and country park are also planned as part of the village.
Councillors heard on Thursday that either a new primary school would be built to serve the homes or contributions would be made to expand existing ones.
The plans feature 212 homes set for sale on the open market, with 94 set to be available at affordable rates.
A further eight plots have been set aside for self-build homes.
There is set to be 10 one-bed, 83 two-bed, 127 three-bed and 86 four-bed houses built in the 314-home site.
The planning committee heard the mix of homes had been discussed with council officers and it was deemed suitable for the area based on the current property market.
No objections to the plans were raised by council officers or external public bodies.
Council planning officers recommended approving the application.
But three households living close to the site objected last year, calling for the impact of the new homes on transport infrastructure and health services to be assessed.
They said they were not against the new homes in principle.
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Huntington Parish Council also objected when the plans were first lodged, raising concerns over plans for access to the site to come from North Lane.
Ward member Cllr Cullwick said North Lane was currently too narrow even for a central white line.
He called for road improvements to be carried out as soon as possible and said more needed to be done to create a multi-generational community.
The Huntington and New Earswick ward councillor said: “The housing mix is predominantly and disproportionately family homes.
A phasing plan for the Monks Cross Garden Village, in Huntington, York, could look. Picture is from Redrow Homes/York Council’s planning portal(Image: )
“Children will have to use existing schools until a new one is built, they’re already struggling with parking problems.
“There’s no provision for older members of the community, younger people or first-time buyers, this is referred to as a village and that demands a more multi-generational experience.”
Council officers stated in their report on the plans that talks with the developers since the plans had been lodged resulted in access from North Lane serving 217 homes.
The rest of the 314 homes would be accessed from the northern roundabout on the Monks Cross Link Road.
They added there were plans to expand existing schools if it is thought to be preferable to building a new one.
Ms Hambridge told councillors they had and would continue to work closely with the local community and the council to address any concerns.
The applicant’s agent said: “We will continue to address any concerns and mitigate the impacts of the construction of the site, traffic and access.
“The plans will deliver homes that support inclusive and accessible living.”
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