Up to 28 new homes are to be built in a village near Easingwold, after a council decision to refuse permission was overturned by a planning inspector.
The proposal to build houses on land east of Boroughbridge Road at Brafferton, had been refused planning permission by Hambleton District Council in October 2017.
The developer lodged an appeal against the decision and that appeal has now been upheld by the planning inspectorate, in a decision announced in a report issued last week.
Councillors had been concerned about the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including Brafferton Conservation Area.
Last month (November) the developer submitted an agreement, pledging to ensure half of the homes on the site would be so-called affordable housing.
A report from the planning inspector, Helen Cassini, stated that the principle of having residential development in the location at Brafferton was not disputed by Hambleton District Council and the council confirmed the village “can accommodate growth”. But Hambleton felt the development was too large.
The inspector’s report stated: “As already identified, the proposal would not result in detrimental impact on the built or natural environment and is capable of being accommodated within the locality. Furthermore, the introduction of up to 28 dwellings would undoubtedly support the existing services and facilities within the village.”
But Hambleton District Council wanted to see small scale developments in such sites of five homes or fewer to ensure “organic growth” in village locations and to support smaller housebuilders.
The planning inspector said such “incremental development” can limit the benefits that come with it, such as affordable housing. She said the proposed 14 affordable homes weighted the scheme in its favour.
The parish council and several local residents objected to the plans and raised concerns about access to the site being potentially dangerous, as well as expressing concern about the impact of the development on surrounding roads. But the inspector said she was ‘satisfied the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety’.
She added: “Overall, I find that the lack of harm to character and appearance, the provision of around 14 affordable dwellings and the identified economic, social and environmental benefits of the proposal would outweigh the limited degree harm that would result by consequence of the proposal failing to accord with the IPG [Interim Policy Guidance].”
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