What Is The New Town Being Built In Yorkshire Near Cattal Railway Station?

Ever wondered what it takes to build a whole new town from scratch? Well, a part of Yorkshire is about to find out. Big news dropped on August 15, 2025 - the government has given the thumbs-up to a massive project to build 4,000 new homes between York and Harrogate. It's a huge deal that's been on the cards for years, and now it's officially happening.

This isn't just about adding a few new streets; it's about creating an entire community from the ground up, a project that will take shape over the next 30 years. The developer, Caddick, is behind the ambitious plans for this new town, which has stirred up a lot of conversation among locals and the council.

What's the big idea? A new town is on the way

So, what exactly is being built? The project is called the Maltkiln new settlement, and it's a brand-new community planned around the existing Cattal railway station. The idea is to create a proper town, not just a housing estate. The plans are pretty detailed and aim to make it a place where people can actually live, not just sleep. It's a massive development designed to provide everything a community needs right on its doorstep.

Here's a quick look at what the new town is set to include:

• 4,000 new homes: These will be mixed-tenure homes. That just means there'll be a variety of houses available - some to buy, some to rent, and some designated as affordable housing. This approach helps to build a more diverse and balanced community.
• Two primary schools: With thousands of new families expected to move in, having primary schools built into the plans from day one is a smart move.
• A local centre: This will be a hub for the community, likely with shops, cafes, and other local businesses.
• Healthcare facilities: A doctor's surgery or local clinic is a must-have for a town of this size, and it's included in the proposals.

The government's approval is a huge step forward for this long-term development. But getting the green light is just the beginning of a very long journey. Building a new town is a marathon, not a sprint, and this one is expected to take up to three decades to fully complete.

The journey so far: how did this all happen?

This whole idea isn't new. The plans for a new settlement in this part of Yorkshire have been floating around since 2018. It all started when the local council at the time, the Harrogate Borough Council, put forward the idea in its Local Plan to help meet the region's future housing needs. Finding enough homes for a growing population is a real challenge, and this was seen as a major solution.

Of course, you can't just start building a town. The proposals had to go through a serious checking process by the Planning Inspectorate - think of them as the official referees for big building projects. They look at all the proposals to make sure they follow the law and are properly thought out. The inspector gave the project the go-ahead, finding that it met all the legal requirements. They did ask for a few tweaks, though, mostly to do with access roads and the exact boundary of the site. Now that the inspector has signed off, the plans are moving forward.

The developer, Caddick, is ready to get on with the next stage. Chris Procter, a director at Caddick, said: "We welcome the publication of the Inspector's Report following the Examination in Public of the Maltkiln new settlement." He added: "We will review the report and continue to work closely with North Yorkshire Council, local residents and partners on the next phase of the project." The plans also have the backing of the new North Yorkshire Council, which was formed in 2023 and has taken over responsibilities from the old council.

What does the council reckon?

The North Yorkshire Council is fully behind the project. They see it as a vital way to tackle the housing shortage in the area. Building new homes is one thing, but the council is keen to make sure they are creating proper, thriving communities where people want to live. The goal is to build places that are well-connected and have all the necessary support services.

Cllr Mark Crane from the North Yorkshire Council put it this way: "This important decision allows us to continue progressing plans to provide much-needed new homes and support services in the central part of North Yorkshire." He went on to say: "Developments like Maltkiln are, therefore, hugely important in addressing our housing needs and providing sustainable communities for people to call home."

The term 'sustainable communities' gets used a lot, but what does it mean? Essentially, it's about building a place that's good for people and the planet, now and in the future. It means having good public transport links (like the Cattal railway station), green spaces, energy-efficient homes, and local jobs, so people don't have to commute for miles every day. It's about creating a town that works for everyone, addressing the significant housing needs of the region.

Not everyone is throwing a party just yet

While the plans have a lot of official support, not everyone is convinced it's all perfect. A local Green Party councillor, Arnold Warneken, has raised some important questions. He's concerned about the project living up to its initial vision. The project is being promoted using a garden village masterplan, which sounds lovely - it suggests leafy streets, beautiful design, and lots of green space. But there's a worry it could end up being just another big, generic housing estate dropped in the countryside.

Councillor Warneken said: "The challenge is to make sure that what started as a garden village doesn't end up as a housing estate in the countryside." He also pointed out the practical challenges. "Before we even talk about houses, we need to ensure a settlement of this size doesn't put pressure on existing infrastructure such as highways and sewers."

He has a point. Building 4,000 homes means thousands more cars on the roads and a lot more demand on public services. The existing infrastructure needs to be able to cope. That means making sure the highways won't get gridlocked and that the sewers and water systems are up to the job. These are the less glamorous but absolutely essential parts of building a new community, and getting them right is key to the project's success.

So, what's next on the agenda?

With the main approval in the bag, the next steps are all about finalising the details. The developer, Caddick, will now work on the tweaks suggested by the Planning Inspectorate and get its updated proposals ready. These final proposals are a big deal, as they will set out the definitive blueprint for the new town.

The focus now shifts back to the North Yorkshire Council. It's their job to formally adopt the plan and make it official policy. A key date for the diary is Wednesday 12 November, when the final proposals are due to be presented to the councillors. This will be a major milestone for the Maltkiln new settlement. After years of discussions that began back in 2018 and consultations in 2024, the plans are finally becoming a reality. It's a huge undertaking for Yorkshire, and one that people will be watching closely for many years to come.