New homes scheme ‘would be the end for village’ (From York Press)

Thorpe Willoughby homes scheme ‘would be the end for village’

9:10am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

PLANS to build scores of new homes near Selby would result in the character of a rural village being “lost forever”, some residents fear.

The scheme, for a site in Leeds Road, Thorpe Willoughby, would see developer Linden Homes create 149 two, three, and four-bedroom houses and bungalows in the village, 29 of which would be affordable housing.

Plans submitted to the council state the development would provide “the opportunity to bring this site into beneficial use”, while “providing a high-quality residential development that will complement the character of the area and which will contribute to meeting an established need for housing in the district”.

However, objections to the scheme have been received from three residents, voicing a variety of complaints.

One resident of Dane Avenue said he did not believe roads in the village could take “the influx of cars” that would come into the village, and any foundation work on the new development would undermine the root system of a 40ft oak tree close to the resident’s property.

Another Dane Avenue resident said they felt their property and the village would be devalued by the development.

The objection stated: “We consider that 149 dwellings are far too many for the size of this development. The total character of our rural village of Thorpe Willoughby will be lost forever by such a large influx of people.”

The objection also stated: “We personally will have a great intrusion to our privacy. At the moment, we have uninterrupted distant views of the beautiful countryside which would be overshadowed by brick walls, noise and light pollution.”

A decision is due on the plans in December.