Plans are being drawn up to relocate a plant nursery to make space for the 3,000-home Maltkiln development.
Initial details of the proposal to move Johnsons of Whixley, between York and Harrogate, have been filed with North Yorkshire Council.
The wholesale business would be relocated from the current site east of Station Road and south of the A59 to a location less than two miles away east of the A168 off Whixley Lane.
The applicants have submitted a screening report to request a decision on whether an environmental impact assessment should be submitted with the future planning application.
The report states: “The existing nursery is within the boundary of Maltkiln new settlement, which is subject to an outline planning application.
“It is therefore necessary for an alternative location for the nurseries site in order for phase one of the new settlement to come forward.”
The relocation of the nursery is not included in the planning application for the new settlement.
The proposed new site consists of agricultural land but the report argues: “Whilst the proposal may result in a change of use of part of an agricultural holding to employment uses, it would enable the relocation and continuation of horticultural activities, which constitute an agricultural use.”
It adds that the scheme is not expected to have significant environmental effects.
The report concludes that an environmental impact assessment is not needed for the development
The business needs to relocate to allow Maltkiln to be created around Cattal Railway Station.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive voted to adopt a masterplan framework for Maltkiln in March.
Council chiefs were told building work could start on the development within “a year or two”.
The plans have faced criticism from local residents and community leaders, particularly around communication and consultation, with the council accused of holding stakeholder meetings without inviting parish councillors.
Concerns have also expressed about the level of infrastructure to support the development.
