COUNCILLORS have narrowly voted to back a housing scheme that has divided a village.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council planning committee voted 4-3 to approve a plan to build 11 homes behind The Lamb Inn, Rainton, near Ripon, at their meeting this week.

The scheme also won support from Rainton Parish Council, but drew objections from residents.

The parish council expressed concern at the density of development and extra traffic, but welcomed more affordable housing.

Letters of objection raised a number of issues. One said too many homes would make the development look like an estate.

Another said too few parking spaces had been provided for The Lamb Inn, which would make parking problems worse.

Recommending refusal, planning officer Andy Hough said the scheme was contrary to Harrogate District Plan policy, but councillors voted for approval.

Because they went against planning officers' advice, the issue must be reconsidered at the next planning meeting.