A PLAN to build two detached homes on a Ripon site once rejected for a supermarket has been turned down

Harrogate Borough Council planning committee voted to refuse the scheme at Beeches Farm, Magdalen's Road.

Planning officer Mike Warden recommended refusal, saying the scheme was outside development limits for Ripon. In addition, the plan failed to provide any affordable housing.

The development, he said, provided an unacceptable number of open market homes on the site, contrary to council policy.

Councillor Alan Skidmore spoke in favour of the application, saying affordable housing was extremely important but added there was a demand for high cost homes as well.

A representative of the applicant said :"This is an important

site that once formed a settlement, being a former hospital and now simply a range of unsightly redundant buildings which provide an appalling eyesore when approaching from the north of the city."

Ripon City Council also gave their backing to the scheme.