Controversial plans to build up to 100 homes in a North Yorkshire town have been progressed four years after initially being drawn up.
The scheme would see a new estate built on fields and woodland off Byng Road in Hipswell, Catterick Garrison.
An outline application submitted in 2021 was greeted with dismay by local residents, with dozens of objections being submitted to Richmondshire District Council.
The application has now been amended with the submission of an ecology report.
The update has prompted a fresh wave of objections from residents who have raised concerns about a range of issues including road safety, flooding, traffic congestion and the loss of natural habitat.
The application is now being overseen by North Yorkshire Council, with more than 70 objections submitted so far and no letters of support received by the authority.
A public meeting was held in Hipswell on Monday night about the development, with more than 30 people in attendance.
In its most recent response to the plans submitted in 2022, Colburn Town Council said that while it welcomed the quality of the proposed build, it could not support the chosen location. The authority is due to discuss the plans again next month.
It added: “The impact of some 100 houses within a small village, which has history and natural beauty, must not be under-estimated.
“Wildlife is not something that developers can just move; if you take away long-established natural habitat then it is lost and the animals, insects and birds will be lost too.”
“Safety is important to every resident in the area and an increase of some 200-plus cars will have an effect on all road users.”
In his response to the scheme, Councillor Kevin Foster, who represents the Hipswell and Colburn division, said he had “many” concerns.
He added: “It’s a busy road that both primary and secondary school children walk on and the path is very narrow.
“The dip at the bottom of the road is prone to flooding. The local plan that goes to 2028 refers to the separation of settlements — this (scheme) does not consider this.
“The road leads to the A6136 which is a key road network that is very close to capacity.”
Areas of open space are planned, including a small meadow, as well as the use of existing woodland to create a natural play space for children.
A report submitted with the plans states: “The amount of development is such that it will allow for the efficient use of land whilst still allowing for adequate levels of residential amenity to be achieved, for existing and future residents, and allow for the incorporation of areas of green amenity space and landscape planting to ensure a quality, aesthetically pleasing layout can be achieved.”
Both open market and affordable houses would be included in the scheme.
The applicants propose a mix of mainly detached properties, although the site could include some short terraces and semi-detached housing.
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Yet again , more houses but no more doctors , dentists, schools and general infrastructure. I wish I could get a bet on the number of affordable homes being reduced for whatever reasons.