HOUSE building policies may be changed in the Hambleton area because the level of new homes has exceeded government targets and more land than expected has become available.

These so-called windfall sites are plots of land which were not previously allocated for housing within Hambleton council's local development plan. Typically, such sites can be large gardens and fields, or vacant sites within village or town boundaries.

At its latest meeting, Hambleton's development control committee supported a cabinet call for an immediate review of the supply of housing land. The recommendation will be considered at the next full council meeting.

Committee chairman Coun Geoff Ellis, of Easingwold, said: "There are patches of land which have come forward in my area which I never expected to see for sale in my lifetime."

In addition to the increase in building land, a higher degree of housing density has been achieved on recently developed sites, the committee was told.

Planning officers said it was very important to monitor housing supply, in order to satisfy local needs and meet government housing targets for the North.

Last year, there were 247 developments on windfall sites within Hambleton district. Planning permission currently exists for seven greenfield sites - which would result in a further 400 houses.

Officers said this trend was likely to continue into the future. Unless it was tackled soon, there would be very little land left. If Hambleton council did not tackle the matter, the government would step in and reduce the overall amount of housing earmarked for the district.

The cabinet had recommended that green field developments should be held back and applications without permission should be postponed.

Some councillors asked if the planning department had been taken by surprise at the supply of land and desire for homes. However, planning officers said government housing policies had changed. They accepted there was a need for rigour and said a development study would be undertaken.

Coun Mollie Haig, of Shipton, suggested housing densities should be lowered to hold back the overall number of developments.

However, she was told density was slightly lower than regional recommendations - 11.6 houses per acre, rather than 12 per acre.

Some councillors emphasised that good development within villages could help to support small shops and businesses. There was also a great need for affordable housing for young local people.

Others believed planning rules and policies required greater clarification.

The public found it difficult to understand why some developments were granted or rejected.

Officers stressed that North Yorkshire authorities had pressed for a reduction in housing targets. It was felt that neighbouring Teesside and West Yorkshire authorities must take greater responsibility for their housing needs - rather than "transfer" the pressure elsewhere.