Member Article

Landmark Eggborough West Community Development Plans Set For Launch

Outline plans for the development of a landmark sustainable community in North Yorkshire are set to be revealed.

Banks Property is looking to create an integrated extension to the village of Eggborough, to the south west of Selby, which would offer new low carbon homes, enhanced local transport links, a new primary school and nursery, assisted living units, new areas of accessible public open space, a local shop and a range of environmental benefits.

Plans for the Eggborough West project, which would see up to 1,500 energy efficient properties of all types being built on a 71.5 hectare site to the west of the village, are being developed in line with the emerging Selby Local Plan.

The proposals include the creation of a network of high quality, green open spaces with a variety of landscapes, facilities and wildlife habitats within the site and across the surrounding area.

A comprehensive community consultation process around Banks’ initial proposals will be carried out over the coming months, with the formal launch set to take place at two forthcoming, appointment-only surgery events.

The first one will take place from 1pm-7pm on Tuesday 21 February at Kellington Village Hall on Barrington Garth in Kellington, with the second following from 4pm-8pm on Wednesday 1 March at Whitley & Eggborough Community Primary School in Whitley.

Members of the Banks project team will be available at both events to answer queries and listen to ideas about their proposals from local residents and businesses.

Lewis Stokes, senior community relations manager at the Banks Group, says: “The Eggborough West site is included in the draft Selby Local Plan as a housing-led location and offers the opportunity to create a landmark development that will help the village continue to thrive for decades to come.

“We are looking to create a high quality, well-connected and sustainable extension to Eggborough which will deliver a wide range of benefits to the local community, the local economy and the local environment, and we’re excited by the opportunities that the site presents to deliver them.”

The Eggborough West development would be located near the growing Core 62 and Konect employment hubs, and would providing new housing options for people and businesses looking to move to the area.

While the site is close to existing road infrastructure to enable travel by bike, bus and car, Banks is also looking at options for improving levels of rail and bus connectivity in the area.

If Banks’ proposals are approved, around 190 full-time jobs would be supported on the Eggborough West site during its construction period, with a further 95 jobs being indirectly supported through substantial investment in the regional supply chain.

Banks Property is part of the County Durham-headquartered Banks Group, which has over 45 years’ experience of developing land for property and energy-related projects.

The family firm has a long track record of successful Yorkshire developments across all its divisions, building the Hook Moor Wind Farm near Leeds and three other wind farms elsewhere in the county as well as successful property schemes in Harrogate, Sheffield and Methley.

Banks Renewables recently announced plans for a groundbreaking green energy hub at the former Thorpe Marsh Power Station site near Doncaster.

Lewis Stokes continues: “Increasing the local and regional supply of quality housing will help to attract people to live and work here, which will in turn support the development of the local economy.

“Ensuring there is affordable quality housing will also mean that everyone can access the housing ladder, most especially local younger people and families who want to move to or stay in the area.

“Creating a central area within the development with assets including a primary school, nursery and local shop will help bring together the community, while direct pedestrian links between the site and the wider village area are also included in our plans.

“The community conversations that will begin with our forthcoming surgery events will ensure everyone can put forward their questions and ideas about the scheme.

“We’re looking forward to discussing this exciting project with as many local people as possible and are now inviting local residents to book a slot at one of the forthcoming surgery events, so that we can speak with and listen to them first hand.”

A planning application for the project is expected to be finalised later this year, with Banks hoping to be able to begin work on site by the middle of the decade if it is approved.

To reserve a place at either of the Eggborough West surgery events, or to arrange to speak to the project team at a different time, please email eggborough@banksgroup.co.uk

For further information on the project, please visit www.banksgroup.co.uk/eggborough

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Julian Christopher .