A long-serving community leader says she feels obliged to go public with her worries about plans to build housing on the so-called ‘green lung’ between Colburn and Catterick Garrison.

Former county and district councillor, Helen Grant, said she had “grave concerns” about the proposal for up to 420 homes on fields at Colburn Grange.

Mrs Grant, who has been mayor of Colburn on five separate occasions, said in the open letter given to the developers that the town had changed beyond all recognition over the last three decades since she was first elected.

“The land surrounding the industrial estates has become housing estates; one developer made efforts to use industrial land as housing but was thwarted.

The location of the proposed housing in Colburn. Image: Spawforths.

placeholder image — The location of the proposed housing in Colburn. Image: Spawforths.

“Massive expansion has taken place adjacent to Colburn in Brough St Giles and a further tranche of land is identified for development behind The Chase area towards Cleveland Road.

“At no point can it be said that Colburn hasn’t taken its fair share of change.”

However, she added that since the 1990s, the land at Colburn Grange alongside the A6136 has been referred to as a green lung and had not been earmarked for development.

“Once this land has gone and housing encroaches behind Meadowfield Road and down towards the old village, there is no going back.

“This is Colburn’s last stand. Very soon, there will be non-stop development from the A1(M) to the camp centre.”

The community leader, who is a director at Colburn Hub and Cafe, based at the village hall, said the plans for Colburn Grange also highlighted the need for a bypass around Colburn and Catterick Garrison.

“It goes without saying that the A6136 is little more than a slow-moving car park in the morning and the close of the working day.

“Increasingly, we see heavier vehicles using the road during working hours – accidents, and indeed a fatality, occur on a regular basis.

“For decades, the road has been subjected to road traffic management interventions.

“None of them have worked – despite the developers and Highways saying they would.”

Mrs Grant said that he number of mini roundabouts, crossings and lights on the road were often more of a hindrance than help.

“Since the 1990s, little or no infrastructure has been put in place as part of planning applications other than for schools.

“Sadly, the 106 agreements which developers sign up to don’t provide extra doctors, dentists and social spaces.

“It is imperative that no further development takes place around the A6136 until developers contribute towards a by-pass around the A6136 into the garrison, something that was first mooted 25 years ago.”

A drop-in event took place this week for the public to get more information on the Colburn Grange scheme ahead of a planning application being submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

The deadline for comments on the scheme is December 5, although a further statutory consultation will be held once a planning application has been submitted.

For more information on the scheme, visit https://spawforths.co.uk/consultations/colburn-grange-engagement/