Heronby plans edge closer to submission
The landowning Forbes Adam family welcomed 150 people to the Escrick and Deighton Club to examine draft plans for a new community of 3,500 homes proposed between York and Selby as part of ongoing consultation.
The 30-year development plan would include new schools, shops, workplaces and other amenities including a 50-hectare country park. It would be south-west of the village of Escrick, with Escrick Park Estate taking on the role of master developer.
Deep in consultation. Credit: Escrick Park Developments
Beilby Forbes Adam, managing partner of Escrick Park Estate, said: “We’ve been working on Heronby since 2020 when the old Selby District Council wanted to see what a new settlement in the area might look like.
“This wasn’t the first event we’ve held by any means. We have listened to what people have told us already and made a lot of changes to those early concept proposals.
“This month’s exhibition was to seek people’s thoughts on our latest masterplan as we draw up an outline planning application.
“Traffic on the A19 was the biggest concern people had previously so we’ve spent a lot of time working on this and modelling solutions.
“Our traffic consultants were certainly kept busy talking through these solutions with people coming along to the exhibition. I know a lot of visitors left a lot more reassured than when they arrived.
“We launched our latest consultation at the beginning of September and have already had some valuable and positive feedback. Now we’ve been able to show more advanced ideas, we’re keen to hear from as many people as possible about what they think.
“All the material which was available at the event is now online at www.heronby.co.uk. There’s also a feedback form on the website.
“The team would like to thank everyone who came along to the event, whether they were supportive or otherwise. It was good to meet people of all ages and to listen to what they thought.”
Escrick Park Estate in North Yorkshire has been privately owned by the Forbes Adam family for over 350 years. With a long history of stewardship, the Estate takes a holistic approach to sustainable development and change, ensuring it respects and enhances its communities, the environment and the local economy.
Whilst still involved in traditional estate activities such as farming, forestry and residential tenancies, the Estate has diversified over the years into providing commercial space for rural businesses to thrive, and has grown an acclaimed countryside holiday park, set within 30 acres of the Estate’s 250-acre woodland, for families to relax and enjoy nature.
The Estate is committed to protecting, maintaining and promoting the environment. In partnership with Natural England, it manages the 660-acre Skipwith National Nature Reserve. The reserve is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and one of the last remaining areas of lowland heath in the North of England.
