SMALL plots of village land which could be used for building were highlighted this week.

A total of 19 sites in Great Broughton, Great Ayton, Hutton Rudby, Seamer and Stokesley were identified in a Hambleton council study to the Stokesley local plan committee on Monday. Only a handful were said to be suitable for homes.

Some councillors have criticised Hambleton's interim planning policy, which seeks to reduce the amount of house building because of an unexpected increase in plots for sale. However, fearing complaints from residents, they also stressed that the report simply identified patches of land - it was not a planning proposal.

The report also stated that the populations of Stokesley, Great Ayton, Hutton Rudby, Seamer and Great Broughton were over the desired threshold levels and a lot of new housing was unlikely.

A site at Great Broughton, east of the High Street near the Black Horse hotel, was highlighted as a possible development site. Located between two stretches of terraced cottages, it had good access but there were some constraints. It dismissed a plot behind Broughton House.

In Great Ayton, California Court was highlighted including the former Edward Kitchen school and haulage workshops behind Frankfield Place, Cleveland Street and Romany Road.

Earlier this year there was a suggestion of turning the school into a community centre, but planning approval had been granted for 38 homes there.

Elsewhere in Great Ayton, the report raised serious doubts about the slaughterhouse field behind Linden Avenue , a plot between Easby Lane and St Margaret's church, and another behind Angrove Close.

In Hutton Rudby, the report highlighted land between Deepdale and Greenbank Terrace where there were some constraints but development was likely.

Rudby Parish Council had expressed frustration over a development of six luxury homes in a former builders yard at Enterpen Mews. It had hoped starter homes would be built there. A steeply sloping plot at North Meadow and another at West End were dismissed.

At Seamer, a former agricultural machines depot near the green was described as a likely development site, as was a workshop site near Leconfield, where demolition would be necessary.

Five plots were shown in Stokesley. These were the county council depot on North Road, a plot at Silver Street on North Road, the Union Mills at Levenside and a narrow strip on Station Road.

A plot behind College Square and the primary school was described as unsuitable