AMOST 200 affordable homes will be built in the Easingwold area if new plans are given the go-ahead.

A total of 387 new houses would be built between now and 2021 if the Hambleton District Council officers' proposals are approved by councillors - with 50 per cent of these being affordable.

The council's officers also suggested setting aside six hectares of land for employment use.

District councillors representing Easingwold have welcomed the plans - but called for improved services to cope with the substantial increase in population.

Coun Percy Featherstone said: "It would mean building just under 30 new houses every year, which I think is reasonable.

"There is a huge demand for housing, especially for affordable housing, and I think these plans will meet that need.

"However, I do think certain services will have to be improved if Easingwold is going to be able to cope with the increase in population.

"The biggest concern for me would be provision of dentists and we would also need to improve public transport.

"Something that I want to push for is a park-and-ride service between Easingwold and York, to help commuters get to York, and I also think we need to create more jobs actually in Easingwold."

Coun Phillip Huntington also hailed the plans, which he said would be welcomed by first-time buyers.

He said: "Getting on the first rung of the ladder as far as housing is concerned is a nightmare and I fully support the plans for more affordable homes.

"Almost 400 houses might seem like a lot, but it's not all going to happen at once and I think as long as steps are taken to build more services, like doctors' surgeries, then the town would be able to cope."

The final plan, if approved by the cabinet and full council in September, will be published for a six-week public consultation period in October.