The government has been accused of "bullying" councils and communities over housing targets after councillors said they felt they had no choice but to approve almost 100 homes in a North Yorkshire village.
Members of the Skipton and Ripon area planning committee today (Tuesday) approved an outline application for up to 98 homes on the edge of Dishforth.
The plans were submitted by Caddick Land Limited and TJ Swiers for land off Topcliffe Road.
The committee took the decision despite widespread opposition from local residents.
Around 30 members of the public attended the meeting at Ripon Town Hall.
Councillors were told the village had grown significantly in recent years and the local infrastructure was already strained, with limited services in the village, several classes full at the village primary school, poor public transport and no space at local dentists.
The meeting also heard that Yorkshire Water had objected to the application because the sewage system did not have the capacity for extra housing.
A spokesperson for Dishforth Residents Group told the meeting the application was in contradiction to a number of planning policies,
These included the site being outside the development limits identified in the local plan and being on agricultural land graded as ‘best and most versatile’.
But the meeting heard that North Yorkshire was unable to meet its government targets of having a five-year land supply for new housing, which tipped the balance further in favour of approval.
In response, Councillor Nick Brown called on the committee to reject the application, saying the housing targets were “unrealistic”.
He said:
“Someone has to make a stand and I propose we refuse this application for very sound reasons.
“These opportunistic applications should be stopped at some stage.”
Councillor Robert Heseltine agreed with his Conservative colleague and urged the committee to reject the application.
He said:
“Local democracy in Dishforth from today, if we don’t make a stand against the bullies in Westminster, is dead.
“One thing I’ve learnt in my 81 years on earth is you stand up to bullies because if you don’t stand up to bullies, they grind you into the ground.”
But confirming he would be voting in favour of the application, chair of the committee, Councillor Nathan Hull, said:
“I don’t like anything about this application.
“I really feel that Dishforth is not the right place for this housing, but I can’t see that I can vote against it.”
Other councillors said they too were reluctantly voting in favour, with the meeting hearing that the applicant was likely to be successfully appeal, if the plans were rejected.
Councillor Andy Brown said he was concerned that this would leave the village in a worse position as the planning inspector would decide the conditions, rather than North Yorkshire Council planning officers.
Councillors were told that while Yorkshire Water had lodged an objection, it would still have a statutory duty to provide adequate sewage facilities if the application was approved.
Officers advised that a condition would be attached to the application to ensure that the sewage system was upgraded before homes were built.
Harrogate Town sign Burnley youngster on loan
Harrogate drivers urged to submit footage of dangerous driving
Popular Dog Day returns to Himalayan Garden near Ripon
New Reformer Pilates studio to open in Harrogate
Work begins on Harrogate and York RSPCA's £2m animal home
Free bike repair event returns to Valley Gardens this weekend
Harrogate trains disrupted following death on railway
Businesses urged to sign up for Harrogate's Restaurant Week
Ripon MP warns over rise in unemployment-related benefits
New children's play area opens at Otley Garden Centre
Harrogate Town sign Middlesbrough midfielder on season-long loan
Harrogate adult learners prove it's never too late to achieve GCSE success
Ashville pupils celebrate GCSE success as new Sixth Form awaits
Police warning after counterfeit cash scam in Knaresborough
Outstanding GCSE results at one of Yorkshire's only all-girls schools
Volunteers transform children's play area at Harrogate hospital
Ripon market days see 31% increase in footfall
Harrogate pupils achieve best top-grade GCSE results in four years
Harrogate High head 'enormously proud' of school's GCSE results
Three new independent businesses join Halls of Ripon
