NEW proposals have been unveiled for a housing development in Stokesley, after previous plans for the site were rejected due to the lack of affordable homes.

The new plans were unveiled by property developers Northumbrian Land at a public consultation for residents in the town.

It is the company’s second proposal for the site after Hambleton District Council refused outline planning permission for a housing and business development in April last year.

At the time the council wanted about half of the proposed 193 homes to be affordable to meet local need, but the developers had proposed building 15 to 20 per cent. Hambleton’s decision to refuse planning permission was upheld by the planning inspector in June last year.

At the public exhibition, Northumbrian Land revealed the latest proposal for building 183 homes at White House Farm would include 32 per affordable homes; a total of 55 properties. An aspect of the original plans - for light industrial units for small businesses - does not form part of these latest plans.

“This is a fresh start with a new team,” said Edward Yuill, director of Northumbrian Land.

“We have had many meetings with the planning office and have listened to HDC’s comments, and we are hoping to get planning approval.”

Arnold Ashton, from WYG Transport Planning, commissioned by Northumbrian Land, said: “We have done a transport assessment and have designed access off Westlands, which is on the eastern end of the site.

"There is a roundabout and the access sits within a 30mph speed limit. A tree survey has been done which has established the value of the trees on the proposed site, and the ones of most value will be retained.”

Native trees will also be planted along the western edge of the site.

The developers said the construction would cost about £23.7m and involve roughly 69 construction jobs.

Hambleton District Councillor Bryn Griffiths, who was viewing the plans at the public exhibition, said: “Their measures for the flood issue seem appropriate and I am happy with the increase in affordable homes, but I would have liked to have seen more.”

Residents are invited to send their views to; consultation@gva.co.uk by March 24, and the application should be in by the end of March or early April.