Harrogate council has welcomed the Government’s decision to turn down an appeal by the Duchy of Lancaster regarding plans to build 165 new houses.

The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate which consists of 18,433 hectares of land in England and Wales and is owned by the Queen.

It appealed to the Government’s planning inspectorate after Harrogate BC refused to grant the estate permission to build 165 houses on a 33 acre site.

The inspectorate turned down the appeal citing the effect the development would have on ‘the character and appearance of the area’, particularly the Harrogate Conservation Area.

It was also noted that the proposed housing would have a negative effect on ‘the amenity of various public rights of way.’

Responding to the decision, a spokesperson for the Duchy of Lancaster said they were ‘extremely disappointed and surprised’ by the inspector’s approach.

‘We believe that the development proposals put forward for Cornwall Road were appropriate in scale, sympathetically designed and sensitive to the landscape.

‘They were designed to deliver much-needed affordable homes, sports facilities and other community benefits to the people of Harrogate.’

Cllr Rebecca Burnett, Harrogate’s Member for Planning, said: ‘After considering the merits of this particular proposal, he [the Government’s inspector] concluded that the harmful impact of the development on the character of the landscape, the Harrogate Conservation Area, and the adjacent public right of way were so significant that the appeal should be dismissed.

‘This decision supports the views of the council's planning officers, members of Harrogate Borough Council’s Planning Committee and the local members.

‘This case is a good example showing clearly that planning applications are decided on their own merits in accordance with national and local planning policies.’

‘We have a high need for housing in our district which the council is committed to meeting, but this does not mean that all applications have to be approved,’ she added.?