A DEVELOPER has hit back after a council refused to grant planning permission for 48 old people's homes.

Golden Living said it is considering an appeal against the decision made by Ryedale District Council's planning committee.

Members rejected proposals for the apartments at the former North Riding Garages, in Eastgate, Pickering, last week.

They ruled that the building containing the flats would be too large and out of character with the surrounding area.

Last year, the committee blocked Golden Living's plans to build 45 flats on the same site after objections from people living nearby.

The latest scheme was for 35 one-bedroomed and 13 two-bedroomed homes.

Pickering Town Council had objected, calling the proposals "overbearing and obtrusive".

Golden Living managing director Trevor Walters Thompson said the company was disappointed by the decision, but had expected it.

"We do have a duty to maximise development on brownfield sites, such as these, so as to relieve the pressure on greenfield sites," he said.

"We made a concerted effort to the design process, including a townscape analysis, which resulted in the scheme before the committee.

"We pursued a high-quality scheme that reflects local distinctiveness and enhances the appearance of the area.

"Nationally, it is accepted that the population is ageing and there is a lack of suitable accommodation for the elderly.

"Pickering is no different and the provision of specialist sheltered housing would have the effect of providing housing choice in this sector of the market in a form that would provide a mix of tenures and different levels of affordability and the possibility of family-sized properties being "freed up" as a result of more suitable accommodation being available for elderly occupants.

"We will consider our options in relation to our rights to appeal to the Secretary of State."

Planning committee members granted permission for a separate complex for pensioners on the same stretch of road, in Pickering, at the same meeting last week.

Developer Studio Living had a scheme for 14 homes and an underground swimming pool on land at the rear of Eastgate Square approved.