PLANS have been submitted to create 17 new homes on the site of a former air force base in North Yorkshire.

The development would see 16 residential houses built on just over five hectares of land in Broad Lane, Appleton Roebuck, on the former site of the Canadian Air Force Base, along with a single home with a stable.

The base was commissioned in 1942 and used briefly by Canadian Air Force 601 Squadron, before being developed into a bomber base the following year, but was decommissioned in the 1960s and the land was sold in a public auction.

Under the new plans, a total of 51 derelict buildings on the site, including former sports halls and barrack buildings, would be demolished before new two storey buildings, including three and five bedroom homes, were built in their place.

The new scheme would include "a robust network of safe, convenient and attractive footpaths and cycle routes will be provided within the site to link with the local bridleway and Sustrans cycle route", extensions to the number 21 bus service, new access roads, and 40 per cent of the new homes would be offered as affordable housing - likely to be three-bedroom houses.

One local resident has already objected to the plans, which were submitted on Tuesday, claiming the site was "not suitable for redevelopment" due it it being "land locked, prone to flooding and in the green belt area".

However, the developers have pledged to create "a sustainable drainage strategy across the site".

Developers also said the new homes would be built in the same style as homes in nearby Appleton Roebuck, because "not only will this be in keeping with the local architectural style and character, it will help the new development feel part of Appleton Roebuck instead of a satellite settlement".

A decision on the new development is expected in November.