bw_secretary_activities.pdfFor those of us fortunate to live in Wetherby and the surrounding villages, we appreciate the pleasant countryside setting, green spaces, access to excellent local shops and services, and a real sense of community. It is a great place to live, so it’s perhaps not surprising that developers want to build more and more new houses.
Over recent years large scale house building has taken place in Wetherby. Further new houses are under construction, more have been approved, with even more subject to current planning applications. Recently, two large developments have been subject to ongoing planning applications. Better Wetherby have been succesful in appealing against one of these, the other is still ongoing - see our "Housing Developments" page for more details
But such large-scale development has consequences. The town already has serious highways problems of traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, limited parking and road safety concerns. Local services such as schools, GP & dental services, social services and emergency services face significant pressures. Substantial new housing can only result in further pressure on already overstretched local services and infrastructure.
In 2018, several local organisations and residents in the Wetherby area came together to form a new Partnership - ‘Better Wetherby.’
‘Better Wetherby’ is not a NIMBY lobby group. It is non-political. The organisation accepts that some new housing, particularly more ‘affordable’ and reasonably costed new properties, especially for young people, will be needed, but believe that these should be developed in a considered, responsible way.
As the housing situation continues to evolve, representatives of ‘Better Wetherby’ will continue to be very active in efforts to ensure that the views of local people are taken into account in the planning process so the character of our historic and attractive market town and the environment is preserved for future generations. We welcome your support.
See our Newsletters and Press Releases for a summary of actions to date.
Over recent years large scale house building has taken place in Wetherby. Further new houses are under construction, more have been approved, with even more subject to current planning applications. Recently, two large developments have been subject to ongoing planning applications. Better Wetherby have been succesful in appealing against one of these, the other is still ongoing - see our "Housing Developments" page for more details
- The first relates to an application by Stockeld Park and Hallam Land Management to build 210 homes at the top of Spofforth Hill on the Harrogate side of the council boundary with West Yorkshire by Hallam Land Management and Stockeld Park (ref: 17/01897/OUTMAJ).
- The second is an application by Taylor Wimpey is to build a large residential development, comprising 800 dwellings and associated infrastructure, on land off Racecourse Approach near Wetherby (Leeds Planning Services Case No: 17/02594/OT). Another building application to build a further 300 homes on the Racecourse Approach site by Persimmon is in the pipeline.
But such large-scale development has consequences. The town already has serious highways problems of traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, limited parking and road safety concerns. Local services such as schools, GP & dental services, social services and emergency services face significant pressures. Substantial new housing can only result in further pressure on already overstretched local services and infrastructure.
In 2018, several local organisations and residents in the Wetherby area came together to form a new Partnership - ‘Better Wetherby.’
‘Better Wetherby’ is not a NIMBY lobby group. It is non-political. The organisation accepts that some new housing, particularly more ‘affordable’ and reasonably costed new properties, especially for young people, will be needed, but believe that these should be developed in a considered, responsible way.
As the housing situation continues to evolve, representatives of ‘Better Wetherby’ will continue to be very active in efforts to ensure that the views of local people are taken into account in the planning process so the character of our historic and attractive market town and the environment is preserved for future generations. We welcome your support.
See our Newsletters and Press Releases for a summary of actions to date.
