Protesters home in on planning victory

East Riding Council is looking to construct homes on land east of Manor Road, in Preston.

The field is outside the village's development limit and the proposals provoked an avalanche of objections from local residents, who wrote hundreds of letters.

Many households sent several letters, and the list of addresses runs to nearly 10 pages in the council's report.

Most objectors cited traffic problems as well as the visual impact on the area. The parish council also objected, saying it was disappointed with the lack of consultation throughout the planning application.

Some residents were so enraged that they engaged solicitors on their behalf.

Under the proposals, the homes would be built around a pond on what is now an agricultural field, and a mature hedgerow would have to be uprooted.

However, officials agreed the site was unsuitable and are recommending refusal of the application at a meeting of the eastern area planning sub committee, which meets in Beverley on Monday.

They state: "It is considered that the proposed scheme constitutes an unsatisfactory form of development and, in the opinion of officers, the need to provide affordable housing is not sufficient to outweigh the detrimental harm caused to the rural character and appearance of the street scene."

The same meeting will also decide whether to allow the building of 20 affordable homes at Aldbrough.

Planners are recommending refusal of the proposal for the homes on land off Garton Road, saying the new estate would be "segregated and detached" from the village.