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New Village Plans Spark Traffic & Farmland Fears
17 Oct
Summary
- Planners aim to apply for permission by year-end for the 3,500-home Heronby village.
- Residents worry about increased traffic on the A19 and loss of farmland.
- New roundabouts and junctions are proposed to manage traffic flow.
Developers for the Escrick Park Estate are advancing plans for Heronby, a proposed village of around 3,500 homes situated between York and Selby. A planning application is expected by the end of 2026, following a pause due to local government reorganization. Public consultations revealed resident anxieties, particularly concerning traffic congestion on the A19 and the impact on local roads like Stillingfleet Lane. Concerns were also raised about the loss of fertile farmland, with implications for food security.
To address traffic concerns, the proposals include two new roundabouts connecting to the A19 and three T-junctions from Stillingfleet Lane, alongside a new internal village road designed for bus services. The developers highlighted the proximity of the Trans Pennine Trail and the potential for a park-and-ride facility. They stated that traffic interventions would span from the A19/A64 junction south to Riccall, aiming to improve traffic flow despite increased vehicle numbers. However, residents remain skeptical about the capacity of the A19 to handle additional traffic.
Regarding land use, the Escrick Park Estate asserts that the majority of the proposed development site consists of mixed-grade farmland, with a significant portion not classified as 'best and most versatile'. They also noted that the land's output is primarily for livestock feed and represents a small fraction of Yorkshire's total farmland. An Environmental Impact Assessment scoping request has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council as a preliminary step before a formal planning application is lodged.
