Plans for the development of a landmark sustainable community at a North Yorkshire village have won the backing of a major local employer.
Banks Property is looking to create an integrated extension to the village of Eggborough, which would offer new low carbon homes, enhanced local transport links, a new primary school and nursery, assisted living units, new areas of accessible public open space, other local services and a range of environmental benefits.
The Eggborough West development, which is being developed in line with the emerging Selby Local Plan, would see up to 1,500 energy efficient properties of all types being built on a 70-hectare site to the west of the village.
And now, Trevor Keys, director at the Eggborough site of global industrial plant, construction equipment and agricultural machinery auctioneer Euro Auctions, has backed the potential of the proposed development for delivering much-needed new housing for the local area that will help Euro Auctions and other businesses attract and retain new employees.
The proposed Eggborough West development would be located close to the growing Core62 and Konect62 employment hubs, and would provide new housing options for people and businesses looking to move to the area.
Located to the north of the village, Euro Auctions currently employs around 80 people at its Eggborough facility, most of whom live around the local area, and has been based in the area for more than 22 years.
Trevor Keys says: “Being able to provide suitable nearby housing options for employees is essential for any area that is looking to attract new and growing businesses, as our area is through the Core 62 and Konect62 employment hubs and elsewhere.
“These new properties would make a major contribution towards meeting this important requirement, as well as offering local young families a wider range of housing options, and I very much hope that we’re able to see these plans come to fruition.”
Alongside the new homes, the proposed Eggborough West development would include the creation of a network of high quality, green open spaces with a variety of wildlife habitats within the site, while Banks Property is also looking at options for improving levels of rail and bus connectivity in the area which would complement the existing local road infrastructure.
Around 295 full-time jobs would be supported on the site during its construction period, with a further 370 jobs being indirectly supported through substantial investment in the regional supply chain.
A planning application for the proposed development was submitted to North Yorkshire Council in October last year and is currently under consideration.
Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: “We’ve worked hard to share as much information as possible about our ideas across local communities over the last 18 months and we’re grateful to all those people and businesses who have shared their thoughts and ideas on it with us.
“As Trevor says, increasing the local and regional supply of quality housing will help to attract people to live and work here, which will in turn support the development of the local economy.
“Ensuring there is enough affordable quality housing will also mean that everyone can access the housing ladder, most especially local younger people and families who want to move to or stay in the area.
“The Eggborough West site is included in the draft Selby Local Plan as a housing-led location and we’re excited at the opportunity to create a landmark development that will help the village continue to thrive for decades to come.”
Banks Property is part of the County Durham-headquartered Banks Group, which has a long track record of successful Yorkshire developments across all its divisions, including successful property schemes in Harrogate, Sheffield and Leeds.
For further information on the Eggborough West project, please visit www.banksgroup.co.uk/eggborough