PLANS to build 183 homes on land to the north of Stokesley have been approved.

The proposals for outline permission to build housing at White House Farm, on the outskirts of the town, today (Thursday, June 26) received planning approval from Hambleton District Council.

The plans were given the backing of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) who spoke at the meeting.

Planning officer Jill Lowe told the planning committee meeting that since the application had been submitted, there had been a “significant number of objections” received.

She said some objections centred on the appearance of the homes, but she said this proposal was just to secure outline planning permission for the whole development. Other objections centred around the risk of flooding, additional traffic and pressure on Stokesley’s resources.

Proposals to build 193 homes at White House Farm were turned down last year by the council, in a decision upheld by the planning inspectorate at appeal.

At the time the developer had only proposed building 15 to 20 per cent affordable homes, rather than the 50 per cent the council requested.

This time Northumbrian Land has proposed making 32 per cent affordable dwellings and building fewer homes on the site, leaving a space for a community recreation area and a flood water storage area. The company has also pledged almost £1m towards open spaces and a new Stokesley to Great Ayton cycle path and to provide a children’s play area and facilities for teenagers.

Stokesley Parish Councillor Mike Canavan spoke on behalf of the parish council, which had objected to the development. He told the council overall the properties were “heavily skewed to three to four-bedroomed homes”, which he said wasn’t compatible with local need for smaller homes.

Councillor Andy Wake also expressed “grave reservations” about the impact it would have on Stokesley. He said it was important residents with a strong association with the town were given priority for the affordable housing.

One of those to speak in favour of the plans was Roger Bennett, chairman of the Hambleton branch of the CPRE.

He said: “There is an enormous need to build houses in this country, but they must be built in appropriate places. As we all know there are many applications for development happening at the moment for inappropriate sites.

“Hambleton District Council, unlike most other councils, have spent a lot of time and trouble preparing a Local Development Framework adopted in 2010. In preparation of this plan the council selected this site in Stokesley as being the most appropriate to provide housing needs in the town.”

He added: “CPRE Hambleton strongly supports this application.”