PLANS for housing on the site of a disused bus depot have been criticised by officials.

Ravensworth Homes has submitted a planning application to demolish the former Arriva depot, in Station Yard, Richmond.

The company is requesting permission to build 26 apartments on the land. The proposal is for 20 two-bedroomed flats and six one-bedroomed units.

Thirty-six car parking spaces are proposed to serve the flats.

The developers suggest the smaller apartments should be sold as affordable housing.

They propose a price of £115,000, a discount, they say, of about 15 per cent on market value.

However, officers from Richmondshire District Council say the development should include more low-cost housing.

Planning officer Brian Hodges is recommending councillors refuse the application when they meet on Tuesday.

He said in a report to members: "The development would not make a sufficient contribution to affordable housing provision in accordance with the current policy expectations, and there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate why the development should not contribute fully to the identified local need."

Planners have also raised concerns about the appearance of the apartments. The depot is adjacent to the town's former Victorian railway station, which is being redeveloped into a community and business centre.

Mr Hodges added: "As submitted, the detailed design of the proposed building and treatment of its surroundings is not of sufficient quality to respect its prominent location in the Richmond Conservation Area, or its relationship to adjoining listed buildings."

However, a supporting document submitted with the application by Ravensworth Homes states: "The apartment block has been designed to blend in with the style of surrounding buildings and contribute to the character of the conservation area.

"The scale and size of the buildings have been designed to respect the setting of the station and St Martin's Priory. The current state of the site detracts from the setting of these important structures."

The bus depot closed in March last year.

Arriva services in the area are now handled by the firm's Darlington depot.