AN INDEPENDENT school's expansion plans have come under attack by "horrified" local residents.

Harrogate Borough Council has received an application for 15 new buildings at Queen Ethelburga's College, at Thorpe Underwood, between York and Harrogate.

But parish councillors say they are "horrified at the sheer scale and extent" of the development, which they claim follows piecemeal development of the site over the years, including construction of a new equestrian centre.

Little Ouseburn, Kirby Hall and Thorpe Underwood Parish Council also claimed in a letter to the borough that there had not been proper consultation with the parish council or local community, even though it was required under the Local Development Framework.

The parish also said it had requested a planning audit by the borough to ensure all structures on site had valid permission.

"If Harrogate does not have the manpower to do this, they should urgently consider employing an outside consultant to do the job, before any more planning permissions are granted."

Parish clerk Zillah Hopps said an old country estate with great historical significance seemed to have been turned into a "major development area."

She claimed lighting from the school was so great that visitors to the area regularly confused it with RAF Linton-on-Ouse airfield, because of the huge dome of light above.

"The whole area appears to be floodlit," she claimed.

Meanwhile, a local action group has also been formed to fight any further development at the school - "unless it is of reasonable need for school activities and public consultation has taken place".

A leaflet sent out by the group to hundreds of residents in the area claims that developments are continuing at an ever-increasing pace to the detriment of the area.

It said Thorpe Underwood Hall was a grade II star listed building and the Monks House was of historical importance to both the Church and the Bronte Society, some of the Brontes having lived there.

It raised concerns about the expansion of commercial activities, light pollution and road congestion and excessive wear on road surfaces.

"If those of us who wish to maintain the rural existence of our area and prevent harmful development make their voices heard we may be strong," says the leaflet, urging people to sign a petition against the application as well as objecting directly.

Consultant backs development proposals

THE proposals have been strongly defended by John Goodwin, of Carter Jonas, Harrogate, who acts as planning consultant for Queen Ethelburga's College over the issue.

He said the application by the site's owners, Foxlow Ltd, followed concerns raised by the borough council last year during consideration of plans for a new equestrian centre at the college.

Councillors indicated they wanted the college to plan ahead and provide an overview of its needs over the next five years, and the application illustrated what would probably be required to ensure the college could continue to flourish and develop.

The new buildings were not intended for a substantial expansion, but to accommodate within the campus all existing needs within purpose-built buildings.

He said the college had always sought to maintain good relations with local communities, but the parish council seemed reluctant to "embrace the hand of friendship".

Councillors had been repeatedly invited to come on to the campus to view for themselves what was being planned but had refused, on the basis that it might prejudice their decision-making process.

"It's impossible to have a sensible debate with the parish council at the moment," he said.

School plans to put up 15 buildings

HARROGATE Borough Council is being asked to grant permission for 15 buildings, which the governors believe are needed to meet the school's needs up to 2010/12.

These include a new dormitory block, staff accommodation, estate workers' canteen, Muslim prayer room, Duke of Edinburgh/Combined Cadet Force building, special-needs facility and a repair and maintenance building.

The school also wants a small new bus station for buses and coaches bringing day pupils to the school.

The total area of the proposed buildings comes to 8,131 square metres.