PLANS for further homes next to a site recently approved for housing are being proposed.

Permission to build 183 homes north of Stokesley was recently granted by Hambleton District Council in June this year. But now Northumbrian Land is looking to put together plans for up to another 25 homes on the site between Tame Bridge Farm and Stokesley.

So far, the proposals involve what is described by planning consultants GVA, who are acting on behalf of Northumbrian Land, as a “family housing development” of mostly three and four-bedroomed semi-detached and detached homes, with some terraced properties. The developers say a third of the homes will be affordable.

The proposals involve demolishing agricultural buildings at the site where Stokesley Parish Councillor Caroline Seymour and her husband formerly ran a farm.

Neil Morton, director of property and planning consultants, GVA, in Newcastle said: “The site is currently occupied by buildings in a poor state and it’s a regeneration project. The site is also within Stokesley’s settlement limits.”

But Stokesley resident Andrew Price said there was some concern in the town that this development of 25 homes could open the doors to more development on the site.

“There seems to be two issues with this in the town; the development to the south of White House Farm which already has the go-ahead is pretty large.

“People aren’t that happy about that but they know Stokesley is doing its fair share; if you have to spread the pain of development around North Yorkshire, then there you go. But why on earth would you want another one?

“It’s also creating a precedent on another piece of land which seems to suggest there might well be more to come.”

The plans were unveiled at a public consultation at Stokesley Town Hall on December 11.

There was some criticism at the timing of the exhibition so close to Christmas and at the number of homes that weren’t informed of the public consultation; with homes at Tame Bridge Farm – bordering the site – saying they weren’t informed. But GVA said the exhibition had been run between 4pm and 7pm to enable commuters to participate.

The planning consultancy said it sent out 600 leaflets advertising the public consultation event to the homes nearest the site, which it said was “proportionate” for an application of about 25 homes.

A spokesman for the organisation said: “When the planning application is submitted to Hambleton District Council there will be further opportunity for people to submit further comments to the council.”