110 homes more approved for North Yorkshire village after developer wins appeal

Members of North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty area planning committee rejected plans by Sherwood Brothers for 110 homes on three fields off Field Lane in Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby, at a meeting in May.

Sherwood Brothers went to appeal, and a planning inspector has now awarded costs against North Yorkshire Council, and granted the development outline planning approval.

Parish council chairman Ian Lawton said residents "could complain till the cows come home" about such decisions, but they would be difficult to resist as North Yorkshire Council does not have a five-year housing land supply.

The Field Lane scheme had been recommended for approval by officers, but councillors expressed concern about the cumulative impact of three new developments on the area.

At the meeting they backed plans for up to 140 houses on fields to the north of Leeds Road, and a second scheme for up to 145 houses on land to the south of Leeds Road, despite objections.

They held out on the Field Lane scheme because they were concerned about it having an adverse impact on Brayton Barff, a nearby covered reservoir which is surrounded by ancient woodland.

However Inspector F Tinsley said North Yorkshire Council had acted unreasonably by persisting in objections to a scheme "which the Secretary of State or an Inspector has previously indicated to be acceptable in relation to the previous appeal on the site.

"This is that the proposal will cause harm to the settlement structure of Thorpe Willoughby and cause an unacceptable negative landscape impact on the area and the setting of Brayton Barff."

He said there was a field which would act as a buffer between the new houses and Brayton Barff, which is known for its walking trails, birdwatching, and panoramic views over the flat Vale of York.

He said North Yorkshire Council "cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and that the shortfall is significant".

And although there had been concerns that the latest scheme was "excessive", alongside other new housing developments, because of the pressure on infrastructure, no specific evidence "has been provided to demonstrate that this growth could not be accommodated."

It would also provide affordable housing and meet the government’s ambition to increase the supply of housing However Mr Lawton said: "All the traffic is going to through one street, there's no other exit.

"(We are concerned about the pressure) on the facilities - on doctors, school places, sewerage and electricity - we have numerous power cuts in the last six months. No matter how much we object it isn't going to make any difference because North Yorkshire Council haven't got a five-year plan."