PLANS for a housing development in a city which has exceeded residential building targets by 57 per cent should be refused, according to a planning officer.

A council housing monitor has identified there is an over-supply of 621 homes in Ripon.

Planning officer Mike Warden said that, because of this, justification for a homes development at the Alfred Hymas Depot site, in Princess Road, could not be supported.

He also said the site would mean loss of industrial-business land, conflicting with council policy and could affect privacy of neighbours.

When members of an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council meet on Tuesday, Mr Warden will recommend that the scheme, submitted by A&S Developments, is refused.

The plans brought protests from Harrogate Civic Society, which is concerned about its impact in a conservation area.

The society is also concerned about over-provision of housing in Ripon.

Letters from residents in Tower Road also expressed concern about the scheme's impact on privacy, an increase in traffic, three-storey homes not being in keeping with an area of traditional semis and fears of an increase in pollution, said Mr Warden.

Economic development officer Nigel Avison said there was a shortage of workspace in Ripon with businesses having to limit their growth.

"Far from assisting the local economy, this latest proposal to develop for residential use will not only result in a gross loss of employment space, but will cause further demand for job opportunities in the city," he says.

He said the site had large areas of undeveloped space which would prove useful for employment purposes.