DETAILED plans to build 167 homes on the site of an auction mart look likely to get the go-ahead later this week.

Persimmon Homes wants to build the houses on the site occupied by Thirsk Auction Mart. The mart was given planning permission to move to a 20-acre site off the A19 bypass, where it meets Blakey Lane, in December last year.

Persimmon was granted outline permission for the housing development in August and has now submitted detailed plans to Hambleton District Council.

The scheme would include 22 house types - from one-bedroom, two-storey houses to four-bedroom, three-storey homes. There will also be buildings to accommodate 33 apartments.

The development would be served by an underground sewage pumping station and there will also be two children's play areas.

Planning officers have recommended the plans be given the go-ahead, despite a number of concerns raised by the town council, two parish councils and people living in the area.

Thirsk Town Council said it was very concerned about the impact of the proposal on schools, medical services, drainage and the sewerage system.

Carlton Miniott and Sowerby parish councils both said they approved of the plans in principle, but were concerned about extra traffic.

Hambleton council planning officer Tim Wood said the scheme had both "interest and distinctiveness".

"The centre of the idea and the centre of the layout is the main public open space," he said.

"This space, which is crossed by roads and footways and bounded by dwellings, is similar in character to St James Green, in Old Thirsk.

"The details of the layout are considered appropriate, using buildings of varying height and scale, together with landscaping so that the scheme has an impact within the application site while having only a modest impact on the neighbours."

The application, which is for reserved matters, including siting of buildings, design, external appearance and landscaping, will be discussed by Hambleton's development control committee on Thursday.