Two planning applications for housing developments in Barton will go before councillors next week, with one recommended for approval and one for rejection.
Officers at Richmondshire District Council say an application for 35 houses at Rose Villa Farm should be given the go-ahead.
However, the recommendation for plans for the same number of properties at nearby Ashes Farm is for the scheme to be refused.
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Both applications have previously been before planners, with planning officers previously saying that only one of the two schemes should be approved as granting both schemes would exceed the number of properties needed in the village which has a population of just over 800.
The Ashes Farm proposal was previously recommended for approval, with officers suggesting the Rose Villa scheme should be rejected.
Both schemes would have 30 per cent affordable housing and a report on the Ashes Farm scheme says both applications are considered to be sustainable if considered in isolation.
However, the report states: “Consultation responses received from local residents have expressed a prevailing view that the Rose Villa Farm offers a more convenient connection to facilities such as the village shop, public house, school and play area and bus stops – as unlike The Ashes Farm application – there would be no need to cross Silver Street, the main road through the village.”
Local residents have previously complained about smells coming from Rose Villa Farm and the report notes that the ceasing of farming at the site would result in an “amenity improvement”.
The report concludes: “Whilst there are potential public benefits for both schemes, having carefully considered and compared their respective issues and planning merits as well as the relevant consultation comments that have been received particularly as submitted from local residents, it is concluded that The Rose Villa Farm application would – on balance – result in greater public benefits, if approved than The Ashes Farm application.”
The applications will be discussed at a meeting at Mercury House, Richmond, next Tuesday at 6.30pm.
To read the reports in full click here.
