A DEVELOPER whose plans to build up to 516 homes on land adjacent to Askham Bog were turned down will appeal against the council’s decision.

Company Barwood Land wants to construct homes on land off Moor Lane near the bog.

But Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and more than 7,600 people objected to the plans.

Sir David Attenborough also criticised the scheme.

And in July a City of York Council planning committee took just over an hour to turn the proposals down - saying it had concerns about the impact on the bog as well as transport, health services and schools in the area.

But, following the developer’s appeal, a planning inquiry will now be launched into the decision.

It is due to start on November 12 and take about 12 days.

Cllr Stephen Fenton said the campaign to stop the development will continue and praised Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, adding: “This is disappointing news, but not surprising. The application was refused by the planning committee unanimously on the basis of a very thorough report which set out clearly why the proposed development is completely inappropriate due to the impact on Askham Bog and local infrastructure.

“The campaign will go on until the threat to this site is defeated once and for all.”

The nature reserve is a designated site of special scientific interest run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. 

At the planning meeting in July the agent for the developer said the plans would help address York’ s “housing crisis” and claimed that technical studies showed “there’s no prospect of the bog drying out”.

But the application was turned down and the decision was met with delight from campaigners and staff at the trust.

Louise Wilkinson, campaigns manager at the trust, said after the planning meeting: “It’s fantastic news, we’re absolutely delighted. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has fought this application for years and more than 7,000 people from York and around have stood with us.”