MEMBERS of Kirkbymoorside Town Council have raised concerns over plans for a controversial housing development in the town.

Gladman Developments Ltd has submitted a planning application for 225 homes on land at Westfield, including 15 five-bedroom, 44 four-bedroom, 90 three-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom houses, 54 one-bedroom apartments, landscaping, public open space, highway improvements, a balancing pond and allocation of land for use by the primary school.

The site has a long planning history with concerns raised by residents and town councillors since an outline application to build 210 homes, which included affordable housing and 50 apartments for older people, was made in 2012.

In its response to the current application, the town council said it was concerned over the access to the site.

“The scheme access is to the A170 and incorporate two right turn features, a shared cycle and pedestrian route, two bus stops and access to the school and recycling facility. This presents clear potential for vehicle/pedestrian/cycle conflict,” councillors said.

“The access onto the A170 is situated where the speed limit is at a change point from a 40mph to the national 60mph speed limit, where there is no street lighting.”

The town council has also raised concerns over the impact on Kirkbymoorside Primary School with a predicted 171 pupils from the proposed new houses.

“The increase in the school roll will lead to a situation where there would be no further room for the school to expand. This would inevitably result in a second school being built on another site causing problems for parents.

“The town council firmly believes that the school should have additional room to expand on the current site in order to meet the needs of the community for very many years to come and does not wish to see it surrounded by this development.”

Concerns were expressed about the detrimental effect of the development on the town and infrastructure well as local medical services.

“The addition of 225 dwellings and their occupants on a single site will result in a large increase in the size of the town which will impact significantly on its character,” councillors said.

“Concerns raised with public transport must also be reiterated and at present residents on the site would find it difficult, if not impossible to travel by public transport to jobs in the larger towns.

“The town council is disappointed in the process of public consultation in respect of this application.It is noted that subsequent to complaints by members of the public the deadline for observations has been extended.”