A campaign has been launched to fight plans for a housing development on the edge of Richmond.
More than 300 people have now signed a petition against the proposal for up to 30 houses on land off Hurgill Road.
Agents for applicants Zetland Estates Ltd say the scheme “seeks to create a small scale, low impact development of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes for the local area”.
Six of the houses would be classed as affordable, with architects saying the design is “considered and reflects the typography and setting of the “special site”.
But critics say the new housing estate would “push up against the world-famous Coast to Coast path”.
Local resident Ian Hibbert said: “For many Coast to Coast walkers, visitors and locals, the route into Richmond is unforgettable.
“You see the town ahead, nestled around its iconic Norman castle, viewed across breath-taking countryside.
“The hillside site can be seen for miles around, including the riverside walks of Round Howe and the Swale Valley. If built, the estate will create an irreversible scar that would be visible across the town, including from the top of the castle itself.”
The campaign claims that the 30-dwelling housing estate would “be totally out of character within the current landscape, which consists largely of meadows, woodland and sparsely spaced, agricultural buildings”. It also points out that the site is outside the town’s developments limits.
Richmondshire Landscape Trust, which manages the nearby Westfields pastures, is also opposed to the application.
A spokesperson said: “We are strongly opposed to the development.
“It will take away from the attractive rural landscape that is enjoyed and appreciated by so many. We also manage our land to enhance wildlife habitats and the adjoining fields link with this work.”
Some local residents however are supporting the application .
One comment on the district council’s planning portal states: “This scheme will incorporate much needed housing in the area, and I believe would benefit the local business community such as myself.
“I particularly welcome the wide mix of houses, including the affordable ones.”
For more information, or to comment on the application, click here.
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You could guarantee the six affordable houses would be down to three once they get going. Due to unexpected ground surface developments or such like.
I’ve just moved back to Richmond. This development is a great plan since finding a decent detached house is very difficult at the moment. The population is increasing and the houses have to go somewhere.
Perhaps there would be more housing available for locals if there were fewer houses being used as holiday lets. There’s an absolute plague of them in Richmond now.
But it won’t be small scale and low impact. It’s 100 extra cars plus all the deliveries and support traffic from a single entry onto a narrow rural lane and small, already busy residential road network that’s insufficient to support extra traffic. And that’s apart from the environmental damage and the fact it’s outside the town development area, so effectively building in greenbelt.