Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 February 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), E. Bolton, M. Mitton, C. Florance, B. Butler, T. Martin, U. Cansfield and 32 residents.

1. Apologies for absence: District Councillor C. Bayliss.
2. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda:

The councillors had none to declare

1. Local Development Framework consultation on site allocations for homes and jobs:

The Chairman introduced the councillors and clerk to the meeting. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to enable residents to voice their opinions about the proposal for development in Follifoot, to listen to others and to ask questions and seek clarification. He informed the meeting of the guidelines adopted by the Parish Council for the conduct of public participation sessions in Parish Council meetings.

Harrogate Borough Council are in a process of public consultation about a number of sites across the District that have been appraised for their suitability for housing or employment development. The Council consider Follifoot an appropriate village for affordable housing development given its good communications and other amenities.

1. Preferred site in Follifoot: Land east of Manor Fold:

The Chairman invited residents to express their views. A number of objections were raised including access to the site, the effect on surrounding properties, the impact on public rights of way across the site, building on green belt land and the capacity of the existing sewage system. Some contributors thought that affordable housing development was important in sustaining the life of the community as many young people would otherwise be unable to purchase a home at current market rates. It was thought that there were other more suitable alternative sites and whilst these were not under discussion at the meeting, residents were urged to make these known to Harrogate Council. There was some discussion about establishing a residents association and talks about this possibility were to take place outside the meeting.

1. How to respond to the consultation:

­There were printed Freepost response forms available for residents to take away at the end of the meeting. A number of forms would be held at the Post Office and the form was also available for download at harrogate.gov.uk. The consultation ends on 29 February 2008.

The Chairman thanked all for attending the meeting.

1. Planning:

Application 6.108.42.FULMAJ - Land at grid reference 435262 455048, Thistle Hill, Knaresborough for erection of clubhouse, tractor store, 7 rugby pitches, 2 vehicular accesses, car and coach parking and soft landscaping. The application was for relocation of the Harrogate Rugby Club. The Parish Council had no objection to the application, but wished to seek assurance that steps would be taken to ensure there would be a safe exit onto the A59 towards Bradford.

1. Date of next meeting: Thursday 21 February at 8 pm.