Decision Deferred On Middle Deepdale Homes Over Bridge Delays

Councillors have deferred a decision on whether to allow more homes to be occupied at the Middle Deepdale development in Scarborough before a promised link bridge is constructed.

Councillors have deferred a decision on allowing more homes to be built in Middle Deepdale before the promised link bridge is built.

The planning committee voted to look again at the issue later in the year, following concerns about the ongoing lack of infrastructure at the Scarborough site.

An application was submitted to North Yorkshire Council to vary planning conditions, which would have allowed developers to delay the provision of the link-road bridge on land to the north of Eastfield.

The conditions currently require the bridge over the Deepdale valley to be fully opened to vehicular traffic prior to the occupation of no more than 640 dwellings. Developers had initially sought to increase this trigger point to 790 homes, but officers deemed this unacceptable. A compromise of 693 dwellings was proposed to allow Kebbell Homes to complete 107 properties in the current phase of development.

Development Services Manager David Walker explained the background to the application:

"In 2023, a hybrid planning application was granted permission for around 550 dwellings and that permission was subject to a number of conditions and this current application seeks to vary conditions.

The primary reason for seeking the variation of these conditions is to enable the developer to continue to build and complete a particular phase of development in advance of the link road and bridge being completed.

If the trigger point was to remain at 640 dwellings, then it would mean an existing construction work would have to be halted mid-phase and this would potentially present a disruption and impact on existing occupants moving into other dwellings in that immediate locality.

So, as a kind of compromise solution, the applicant requested that the conditions be amended to allow 693 dwellings to be occupied prior to construction of the link road and bridge, I.E., an increase of 53 dwellings on that currently allowed."

Despite the proposed compromise, councillors expressed frustration over the repeated delays to the bridge, which is intended to connect the eastern and western halves of the housing development.

Councillor Rich Maw voiced his reservations about changing the agreed limits:

"My concern is that the every relaxation of a trigger point, it appears modest perhaps when considered in isolation, but when you add them together you end up moving gold posts and I can understand why residents who live in the development and in the close proximity have those concerned.

Because it's not a minor piece of infrastructure it's a fundamental component of this development. Without this being in place, it does have impact on the community of that estate but also of Eastfield at large."

The lack of progress has also caused upset among locals, according to Councillor Tom Seston, who said:

"The issue with the Link Road and the bridge has been a sore spot for many residents on the development. And the lack of delivery of basic infrastructure on certain parts of the development and developers not fulfilling their promises has been a long running issue up there.

The behaviour of various companies has left a bad taste in residents' mouths and they are feeling neglected by these companies."

Councillor Eric Broadbent highlighted the importance of the crossing to the area, and drew attention to the amount of time it has taken to deliver the bridge, stating:

"I remember many years ago going to see that on a site visit and the bridge was the most important part of this development. It linked two communities together, and I believe this still is the case.

And it seems there's been that many twists and turns on this issue, and I can understand both developers playing it cool. I think the Channel tunnel was probably what what easier to build that bridge.

But I do think that it's essential that the bridge is built. I think the developers should have a good chat together, get the bridge built and do the residents of Deepdale a big favour. It's essential in this part of our borough."

However, Mr Walker provided an update on the progress of the infrastructure, suggesting that plans are moving forward:

"A specialist bridge design company has been engaged by the developers and  detailed designs are being worked up which we expect will be shared with the council over the summer, and a formal submission made shortly thereafter.

Certainly the intelligence I'm receiving from our colleagues is that they they're satisfied that the developers, in particular Keepmoat who are the drivers behind the bridge are fully committed to delivering that bridge and we do expect an application in the very near future."

Following the debate, the planning committee opted to defer their decision on the variation of conditions and will revisit the matter later in the year.