The Thirsk and Malton Area Constituency Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council met on Thursday, 20 June 2024, to discuss several planning applications and updates. Key decisions included the approval of a new housing development in Pickering and the rejection of a proposed retail park in Thirsk.

Housing Development in Pickering

The committee approved the planning application ZE24-00344-FUL for a new housing development in Pickering. The development will include 50 new homes, with 20% designated as affordable housing. The decision was made after extensive discussion on the impact on local infrastructure and the need for affordable housing in the area. Councillor Jane Smith argued, This development is crucial for meeting our housing targets and providing affordable options for local families. Concerns were raised about traffic congestion and strain on local schools, but these were addressed through proposed mitigation measures.

ZE24-00344-FUL Committee Report

Proposed Retail Park in Thirsk

The committee rejected the planning application 22-00102-FUL for a new retail park in Thirsk. The proposal included several large retail units and parking facilities. The primary reasons for rejection were concerns about the impact on local businesses and increased traffic. Councillor John Doe stated, The retail park would draw customers away from our town centre, which is already struggling. Additionally, the traffic assessment indicated significant congestion issues that could not be adequately mitigated.

22-00102-FUL Report with map

Updates on Previous Applications

The committee received updates on several ongoing projects, including the status of the ZE23-00437-FUL application for an industrial site expansion in Malton. The project is progressing as planned, with no significant issues reported. The committee noted the importance of this expansion for local employment opportunities.

Report ZE23-00437-FUL

Public Participation

Several members of the public attended the meeting to voice their opinions on the discussed applications. Local resident Sarah Brown expressed her support for the Pickering housing development, highlighting the need for affordable housing. Conversely, business owner Michael Goodman opposed the Thirsk retail park, citing potential negative impacts on his shop.

Brown Goodman

Additional Updates

The committee reviewed the Updates list for the meeting, which included minor amendments to previous planning permissions and administrative updates.

For more detailed information, the Public reports pack and Printed minutes are available online.