A developer is looking to build 1,100 homes in a village west of York, it has emerged.
Hallam Land is in the early stages of putting together a masterplan for the homes in Tockwith, on land at the airfield.
The proposals are at a very early stage, with no planning application yet. But the developer is asking North Yorkshire Council whether it needs to produce an environmental impact assessment for the 130-acre site.
Tockwith Airfield
Chairman of Tockwith Parish Council Arnold Warneken says he wants residents to be aware of the situation so they can respond in good time.
“We don’t want developers just coming in giving us what we don’t want,” he said.
Cllr Warneken, who also represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire Council, is involved in developing a neighbourhood plan for the area, with a consultant based in Sheffield.
That will identify which developments on what parcels of land they want to support, and what infrastructure would be required to make them work.
“Things like sewage, highways, education, health centre, these are the sorts of things we need to get on the table. And if it comes to a planning application that gets approved, then we have had influence on what the final thing will look like.”
Cllr Warneken, who is in the Green Party, says there’s been a lot of speculative development after the government told North Yorkshire Council had to build 4,300 homes a year. Its previous target was 1,300 homes.
The Tockwith proposal comes on top of the nearby 3,000-home Maltkiln development, and speculative plans for Kirk Hammerton and Whixley.
Given that Tockwith only has about 2,000 residents, would Hallam’s proposal change the character of the village?
“The character has already been changed,” Cllr Warneken said. “I’ve lived in this area for 46 years, in the parish of Tockith.
“In that time, it has changed dramatically. We’ve had a Linden Homes development. We’ve had an Evans development, we’ve had Mulgrave development.
“So it has, it’s completely changed. You know, it’s pretty much doubled in size already, and it’ll double again with 1,100 homes and more.”
He called on local people to work with him for the best outcome.
“What I want them to do is either work with me to stop it happening if that’s the right thing to do. Or if it’s going to happen, because there’s no justification in material considerations to refuse it, if it’s going to happen, then we shape it.”
A Hallam Land spokesperson said “We’ve submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Opinion to North Yorkshire Council as we begin the very early stages of preparing a masterplan for new homes, a local centre, infrastructure and sports provision on land around Tockwith Airfield.
“This is the start of a long process, and we are committed to fully engaging and consulting with the local community in the weeks and months ahead as the plans develop. Local feedback will play an important role as we shape a scheme that helps to meet housing needs in the area.”
