On the website we have been sharing information about sites submitted by Castle Howard to Ryedale District Council for housing development. We have urged residents to respond to the proposals, whether they are in favour or against some or all of them. If you have already sent in your comments, please be aware that Site 298 (including the Sports Field) was withdrawn a week or so ago. We hope this is an example of the Estate listening to local opinion, but crucially a new Site 305 was added and notified to the Parish Council. This is the rest of Site 298 – the field known as Castle Field to the west of the castle towards Fryton. If you have objected to Site 298, but are also opposed to Site 305, you would be well-advised to let Ryedale know.

You can find out the details here: https://www.ryedale.gov.uk/resources/other-villages-n-t-submitted-sites-2021/ – scroll down and look for Slingsby.

You can either fill in their online form, or send a letter or email to: [email protected] 

If you want to be kept updated, you must give them permission to contact you.

A quick reminder that Castle Howard has already secured outline permission for 38 houses on The Balk field site, and have indicated their intention to build a further 30 or so on the Castle Farm / Heights Farm site. What is now being proposed are two other major developments on top of this. Do you think the village is at capacity? Or can it cope with more development, as long as this is sustainable, affordable housing with new facilities? 

Further applications for the Balk sites are in development – and offer an opportunity to see the level of local occupancy, affordable housing and investment in local infrastructure promised in the proposals.

Please don’t presume that other people will represent your views – it is important that as many people as possible say how the proposals will impact them and village amenities, including drainage systems, access to road networks, open spaces and ecology. 

Our thanks to interested residents for this item and for monitoring the site submission process.

More in our previous post: News and Events | Proposed Development Sites in Slingsby – Call to Action For All!  – The Slingsby Village Website

We have been contacted by the producers of ‘The Man Who Captured Sunlight’ about their new play which is due to be performed for the first time in Harrogate this September. The play tells the story of the rise of inventor and engineer Samson Fox, who also served as Mayor of Harrogate from 1889-1892:

“For the first time, the remarkable story of one of the UK’s most meteoric inventors, Samson Fox, will be brought to dramatic life on stage by North of Watford on 23rd September 2022. There is a matinee and evening performance on 23^rd September 2022 at the Royal Hall in Harrogate. There will also be an audience Q&A with the Fox family (film commitments permitting), playwright, actors and director after the performance.”

Find more information or buy tickets here.

We have received a message from the organisers of the Roman Festival at Malton Museum, who are still on the lookout for more volunteers for the event. This could be a commitment of just 1 or 2 hours on the day or more if you are interested in getting involved further.

“The Roman Festival is nearly upon us, it’s only 3 weeks away. Thank you to those who have offered to help so far but we still need more volunteers. Please make a commitment to help out even if it’s just for a few hours, collar your family to join in too! It really will be a fun day for all concerned.”

If you are interested, there is more information on the Museum’s website and you can get in touch to show interest at [email protected].