A NEW estate of 60 homes has been given the go-ahead.

Members of the North York Moors National Park’s planning committee approved the scheme off Carlton Road, in Helmsley to provide a mixture of homes ranging from one bedroom maisonettes to five bedroom properties.

Supported by Ryedale District Council and Helmsley Town Council, the development will include a children’s play area and the preservation of an ancient orchard on the site.

Planning officer Hilary Saunders told the committee that 24 of the homes would be for affordable rent, while the 36 open market houses will comprise of eight five-bedroom properties, seven with four bedrooms, five detached three-bedroom homes, seven semi-detached three bedrooms and five bungalows.

Five of the maisonettes will be in a building facing Swanland Road, with the Duncombe Park Estate managing some of the affordable units.

“The development will provide a good mix of housing types and are considered to be of a high standard of design,” said Mrs Saunders.