PLANS have been submitted to build dozens of new homes.

An application for up to 40 new houses on land off School Road, Hemingbrough, which is currently arable, has been submitted to Selby District Council.

Reports to the council suggest the site will be developed with customers selecting plots of varying sizes, for houses to be built from a “pattern book”, able to design their own homes, using a Thirsk-based team of architects who have previously developed housing schemes within the district.

According to the report, “the sustainability of Hemingbrough and of the general location of the site in relation to the built form of the village have been explicitly acknowledged by the council”, and “prospective customers of the custom-build dwellings will be encouraged to incorporate renewable/low carbon/sustainable features and techniques into their designs”.

North Yorkshire County Council’s principal architect said evidence of Roman deposits had been found at the site.

A letter responding to the application said: “These deposits are of significance as they appear to have a military connection and can advance our understanding of the Roman occupation of the area. The report suggests that the deposits are of some significance and of at least regional interest.”

The council’s architect recommended “a scheme of archaeological mitigation recording” should be carried out before any works take place at the site.

North Yorkshire Police noted the plans were smaller than previously-submitted plans for the site, and said antisocial behaviour had reduced but crime had risen in the area. Planners are due to decide on the scheme in August.