Homes plan backed by councillors despite concerns

The properties are set to be built on land west of Malton Road in Pickering

Plans for 110 new homes in North Yorkshire have been backed by councillors despite a number of local concerns.

Members of a North Yorkshire Council planning committee voted unanimously to be minded to approve the outline application for land west of Malton Road in Pickering.

Councillors were told the local community had raised fears about the development adding further pressure on the sewage network, along with drainage issues and the impact on local infrastructure and traffic.

The plans will be subject to almost 50 conditions, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, which must be agreed to ahead of any work starting on the site.

One local resident, Mrs Holgate, told the meeting the local sewage system was "consistently failing the government's own targets for spills into the environment", with further housing adding to the issue.

Mrs Flynn, chair of the Mickle Hill Residents' Association, said elderly residents already found it "scary" to get on to the A169 due to frequent congestion.

"There's no doubt that the traffic generated by the 110 new houses will have an additional and significant impact on the traffic situation," she said.

As well as the proposed housing, the scheme includes more than a hectare of designated public open space.

The scheme would include 38 affordable properties if 110 homes were built.

During the planning process, 45 local residents commented on the proposals - with 37 opposed and the remainder neutral.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.