Developers are to be asked to pay almost £27,000 towards leisure facilities in a village in return for planning permission for houses on the site of a disused abattoir.

Plans to replace the abattoir on the edge of the Nidderdale village of Hampsthwaite with homes have already been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council. But although the council included the site in its housing allocation when it drafted its local plan, a Government inspector rejected the plan.

Now, a smaller development comprising 19 homes, using less land but still taking in the site of the abattoir buildings, has been submitted to council officers.

The estate would include nine five-bedroom homes close to Church Lane, in the village conservation area.

Even though the parish council and some residents have expressed reservations about the scheme, it is expected to receive the go-ahead from councillors when they meet tomorrow.

But their approval will only come if applicant Charles Church North East signs an agreement to pay almost £27,000 towards improving public recreation provision in the area.

Development control officer Anne Smith said housing provided an appropriate alternative use for the site and because a low density development was planned, there would be less of an impact on what was a sensitive edge-of-village location.