A PLANNING application for more than 200 homes in Pickering is being recommended for approval by district planners, despite objections from residents.

David Wilson Homes has applied for permission to build 239 properties in Whitby Road, including a mixture of one to four-bedroomed homes.

Members of Pickering Town Council has raised concerns about drainage and access highway issues, but welcomed the planting of a hedge on the southern boundary.

More than 40 objections have also been received from residents, as well as the Heatherside (Pickering) Residents’ Association.

Paul Littlewood, on behalf of the group, said:"We find that the revised application still falls well short of meeting local needs.”

Mr Littlewood said residents had concerns over highways and traffic.

“We maintain that a single access road, congestion, excess speed, pedestrian safety and a lacklustre travel plan are still issues that require further improvements,” he said.

"Flooding and drainage related issues have proven to be the issues that most concerns our members and, more widely local residents.

“We do not believe that the applicant has made any significant headway in delivering plans that re-assure residents living south and of course, downhill from the site that they have a robust plan for capturing and, for controlling surface water run-off.

“Flash flooding is no longer a once every few years event. Even modest rainfall just a few days ago was flooding down Ashfield Road, Hawthorne Lane and Eastgate, gathering in huge pools and lifting manhole covers. Yet, the new development is proposed to plumb straight into that same, overwhelmed system.”

However in a report to Ryedale District Council’s planning committee, which is due to meet tonight, head of planning Gary Housden said: “While the authority can currently demonstrate it has a five-year supply of housing, the delivery of housing across the district has exceed its delivery targets for the past six years.

"The granting of permission on this site will help to ensure that a consistent supply of housing is maintained at a sustainable location within the district.”