A PLANNING battle could be looming over a controversial homes scheme in Northallerton.

Councillors and residents look set to challenge Government guidelines on the number of dwellings which can be built on sites.

They say the guidelines - which have led to a plan for 43 homes on the site - are not what people want, that fewer homes would be more in keeping for the county town.

And the scheme could now be going back to the drawing board. Campaigning residents have succeeded in getting developers Wimpey to consider putting fewer homes on the land near Crosby Road.

At a public meeting on Tuesday night, protesters hammered home their fears about the development, which includes plans for three-storey flats.

Residents say the scheme would overshadow existing homes, create traffic hazards - especially for schoolchildren - and aggravate ongoing sewerage problems.

But alarm was also voiced about a back lane which would be bounded by a 6ft high fence. It was claimed this could turn into a breeding ground for anti-social behaviour.

The protest has been spearheaded by Anne Dale and Maxine Goddard.

After hearing residents' concerns, Wimpey North East development director Barry Waite said he would take the plan back to the company and talk about putting fewer but higher quality homes on the site.

Mrs Dale said after the meeting: "We hope Wimpey will now submit a new plan along those lines. That would be much more acceptable.

"People feel happier about what is happening and I would like to think we could at least get rid of the three-storey flats."

Town mayor Jack Dobson - who was at the meeting in Mill Hill School - welcomed the move.

"This is certainly a case of 'could do better'," he said.

Much of the argument centred on Government planning guidance which suggests high-density developments to make maximum use of land, incorporating low-cost homes.

Coun John Coulson, who chaired the meeting, hit out at this. He said the guidelines were just that - guidelines. And that while planning officers might recommend refusal of a lower-density scheme, it was the planning committee which would make the decision.

"This is Northallerton and we do not want homes being slapped on every little bit of green space," he said. "We should challenge this, not simply bow down to it. We do not have to follow Government guidelines in every case."

Coun Dobson agreed. "I certainly look forward to a further application more in keeping with what the people of the town require," he said.

Northallerton Town Council has already urged refusal of the scheme, which was due to come before Hambleton councillors next month.

The scheme is for 24 flats and 19 houses on the site of a former builders' yard. The area is just under a hectare and close to an already busy road.

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