CONTROVERSIAL Ministry of Defence plans to build almost 200 homes on a site described by nearby residents as a “haven for wildlife” have been rejected.

Members of the public who live close to the proposed site to the east of Horne Road and Cleveland Road, Catterick Garrison, vented their anger at the Richmondshire District Council planning meeting on Tuesday – and were delighted when councillors threw out the application.

Residents said the land is greenfield and home to deer, badgers, hares, bats, as well as a wide variety of birds and inspects, and should be protected from development.

Peter Simpson, who lives in Cleveland Road, said his main concerns were the loss of wildlife, making the already busy Horne Road more dangerous, and using a site for army accommodation which is too far away from the centre of the garrison. He said: “The MoD has disposed of houses to the private sector in the past and now they need to build more – but why when the government is encouraging personnel to buy their own properties?

“The plans include a new junction at the A6136 and Horne Road, but it will not solve the traffic problem – the only access to the proposed development from camp centre will involve Horne Road, increasing traffic at peak times. Personnel driving to Marne Barracks in Catterick Village will more likely use the back roads to Tunstall.”

Martin Richardson from Tunstall Parish Council said: “It seemed crazy to me to use up yet another really pretty bit of North Yorkshire agricultural land unconnected to any shops or transport facilities and to cover it with houses.”

Cllr John Blackie convinced the planning committee to vote against the officer’s recommendation of approval for the 170 property scheme.

“The amount of open space in Colburn and Catterick Garrison has diminished over the years – but what hasn’t changed is the amount of brownfield space owned by the MoD left undeveloped,” he said.

“The MoD has said many of the other possible sites are being retained for other future military uses, and do not meet the requirements for this type of development – but what are they being held back for?”

Phil Brock from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation said the site is considered appropriate because of its relationship to Somme Barracks and the Loos Road area.

He said housing close to the technical accommodation at Catterick Garrison reduced the need to travel from Darlington to Leeming Bar.