Plans for a new housing development at Sowerby have finally been approved after what has been described as a series of twists and turns over the past six months.

Public opinion in the village was split over the proposal by John Potter to demolish an existing bungalow, outbuildings and a barn at The Pines, in Blakey Lane, and replace them with houses.

Mr Potter had an original scheme for 20 houses rejected last October by Hambleton development control committee and, after undertaking an extensive reworking, has seen his revised application for 11 homes approved conditionally by 14 votes to three.

Committee members rejected suggestions that they should defer a decision to make a site visit because, it was claimed, they were still not getting the overall picture and decided instead that the development would represent a high quality addition to the character of Sowerby.