A NORTH Yorkshire brewery has submitted plans to build new homes on its land.

Samuel Smith Old Brewery has applied to Selby District Council to build five new two-bedroom terraced houses and two three-bedroom semi-detached homes in Wighill Lane, Tadcaster.

A two-bedroom detached house is also included in the development plans.

The plans would see derelict buildings demolished to make way for the houses, in the brewery's old coal yard which has been unused for about 30 years.

So far, letters have been sent to neighbours and several agencies to make them aware of the plans, with a bat survey report already carried out at the site.

The report showed evidence that pipistrelle bats were likely present at the site, but while "none of the buildings on the site are confirmed bat roosts", "there is genuine potential for bats to roost" in at least one of the buildings.

It said that if evidence of bat roosts were found while the buildings were being demolished, work should stop immediately.

The Environment Agency has already looked at the plan, and urged developers to contact Yorkshire Water and determine whether foul drainage sewerage is in place or can be improved prior to the new homes been built.

The EA also requested further consultation on the plans if an alternative plan is considered for removing foul waste from the new homes.

No public support or opposition to the plans have yet been registered.

A decision on the development is due in April.