A plan to build 24 new homes would harm the character of an ancient village mentioned in the Domesday Book, parish councillors have claimed.
A planning application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for a housing development on a 1.1-hectare field off Main Street and Hungerhill Lane in Wombleton, near Helmsley.
Planning documents say the scheme aims to create a “distinctive residential environment” that reflects the character of the village while providing modern homes with private gardens, off-street parking and renewable energy provision.
However, the site lies outside the village’s development limits set out in the Ryedale Local Plan, and the proposals have attracted opposition locally.
Wombleton Parish Council has unanimously objected to the scheme, raising concerns about the scale of the development and its potential impact on the conservation area.
The council said development within conservation areas must preserve or enhance their character and warned the number of homes proposed would represent a significant increase in housing in the village.
The parish council also questioned whether Wombleton was a sustainable location for development of this scale, citing limited services, employment opportunities and public transport.
As well as submitting its concerns to the council, the parish council has written to Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, asking for him to review the application.
The letter states: “The parish council and many residents have a number of concerns relating to the scale of the development and its clash with adopted planning policies for rural settlements.
“Members are particularly concerned about sustainability, infrastructure capacity, and the impact on the character of this ancient village, which has conservation area status, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book.”
Residents responding to an earlier consultation raised similar concerns, including the potential for increased traffic on Main Street and Hungerhill Lane and the impact the scheme could have on the village’s character and layout.
Further concerns were raised about infrastructure, including drainage and the capacity of nearby sewage treatment facilities.
The application is currently being assessed by North Yorkshire Council’s planning department.
The parish council has asked for the plans to be decided by councillors on the area planning committee rather than officers.
The proposal, submitted on behalf of Yorkshire Land Limited, includes a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, including detached and semi-detached houses as well as bungalows. Eight of the properties would be classed as affordable housing.
Access to the development would be from Hungerhill Lane, while existing trees and hedgerows around the site would be retained and supplemented with additional planting.
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