The North Yorkshire Council's Development Plan Committee convened on 4 September 2025, and members voted to propose to the Executive that they recommend to full Council the adoption of the New Settlement (Maltkiln) Development Plan Document (DPD) and accompanying Policy Map, incorporating the Inspector's recommended Main Modifications. The committee also agreed to propose that the Executive recommend authorising the Corporate Director of Community Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business, to make further additional modifications to the documents relating exclusively to factual updates, grammatical and formatting corrections.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

Maltkiln Development Plan Document

The committee considered a report regarding the adoption of the New Settlement (Maltkiln) DPD, accompanied by a presentation from Natasha Durham, Delivery and Infrastructure Manager, and Kate Exley, Planning Policy and Place Officer.

The DPD aims to implement Policy DM4 of the adopted Harrogate District Local Plan, identifying the Green Hammerton/Cattal area as suitable for growth, including a new settlement. The plan sets out a 30-year vision for Maltkiln, intending to create a mixed-use settlement with homes, employment opportunities, local services, and transport links. The DPD proposes a minimum of 3,000 homes and 5 hectares of employment land, with a focus on sustainable transport and a zero-carbon settlement.

Key modifications to the DPD, resulting from the examination, included:

• Revising the indicative layout and boundary.
• Clarifying the masterplanning process.
• Clarifying the implementation of climate change policies.
• Ensuring necessary infrastructure is provided effectively.

A letter of representation from Stuart Vendy, Director of Veritas Planning Ltd, representing a client opposed to releasing land for the settlement, was considered. Mr Vendy raised concerns about the Inspector's assessment of sustainability and the certainty of compulsory purchase powers. Officers advised that these concerns had been reviewed and found to be without merit, with legal advice supporting the council's position on compulsory purchase.

Councillor Mark Crane, Executive Member for Open to Business, reminded members of the council's land interests in the site, specifically restrictive covenants on land known as New Farm, York Road, Green Hammerton and Sunny Bank Farm. He clarified that this should not influence their decision, provided they maintained an open mind.

During the discussion, members were advised that revisions to the framework and boundary meant early phases of development were not dependent on further negotiations or compulsory purchase. The Maltkiln settlement was a long-term project, and circumstances could change. The council had received advice that there was a compelling case for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), although a contested CPO could be a lengthy process.

Regarding North Yorkshire Council's housing target, it was clarified that the DPD covered a specific area, and applications outside this area would be considered on their own merits. Maltkiln would contribute incrementally to the annual target.

Sewerage capacity for the development was being addressed through meetings with Yorkshire Water, with consideration given to nature-based solutions. The DPD was also more ambitious on climate change and sustainability than the existing Local Plan, with the Climate Change Strategy establishing principles and an energy hierarchy.

The committee then voted to:

• i. propose to the Executive that they recommend to full Council that the New Settlement (Maltkiln) DPD and accompanying Policy Map, incorporating the Inspector's recommended Main Modifications, are adopted.
• ii. propose to the Executive that they recommend to Full Council that the Corporate Director of Community Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Open to Business, be authorised to make further additional modifications to the documents. Those modifications may relate exclusively to factual updates, grammatical and formatting corrections.

The motion was carried with 15 votes for and 1 abstention.

Other Business

Councillor Andy Brown raised concerns about the frequency of committee meetings and suggested that the committee should meet more often to consider the emerging Local Plan, citing the recent Issues and Options public consultation as an example where the committee's input would have been beneficial.