THIRTEEN new houses being planned by a leading developer would swamp West Rounton, according to villagers.

Despite local objections, however, the scheme which would increase the size of the village by about a third might be approved by Hambleton planning committee next week.

West Rounton at present has 39 houses and a population of 170, and parish councillors and villagers have been joined by the Council for the Protection of Rural England in objecting to the new development planned by Wimpey Homes at White House Farm.

Residents who have sent 12 letters of objection to the planning committee said a proposed development of a similar size at Appleton Wiske was rejected by a government inspector when it became the subject of an appeal.

They have expressed concerns about the effects on drainage systems, additional cars on local roads and proposed traffic calming measures in the village which, it has been claimed, would hinder agricultural machinery.

The CPRE said the number of four-bedroom houses proposed would risk changing the character of the village. They would be bought by commuters who would do little to support local services.

The parish council said the development would take up a green field site and swamp the village.

But Mr Steve Quartermain, head of planning and environmental services at Hambleton, said the development would be of an appropriate design with traditional architectural details of chimneys, pitched roofs, gables and bay windows.

Recommending approval of the scheme, he said it had to be considered against advice given in a central government planning guidance note on housing issued in March this year.

He acknowledged that the scheme did not meet some government criteria on access to jobs, shops and services and the ability of a community to absorb more development, but it complied generally with policies in the Hambleton local plan.

The 1.8-acre site was allocated for housing within development limits and there was a chance to replace a pig farm which had caused environmental problems