A CONTROVERSIAL plan to develop a country lane in Sowerby is still being met with objections by local people, despite the owner revising the scheme.

John Potter revised the plans in a bid to reach an agreement with residents, and held an open meeting to discuss them.

His original plan was to demolish an old barn and a bungalow The Pines to build 14 houses in Blakey Lane.

Hambleton District Council development control committee approved the plan subject to conditions, but this was overturned a month later after strong opposition from locals.

Mr Potter has now submitted revised plans which have yet to be discussed by the committee.

Sowerby Parish Council was asked for its observations on the new design. Several councillors had been lobbied to turn the plan down by members of The Pines Objection Group, and a large contingent attended the meeting.

Coun Derek Stratton said: "As often is the case, you are never going to satisfy all parties. In my opinion, this particular development is reasonable and will provide a commodity which is needed - people need homes."

But Coun Jim Wilson said: "My preference is for a bungalow development in keeping with Blakey Lane. I think a compromise could be achieved and I haven't given up the fight."

Coun Steve Hoyland said that after considering the revised plans he still believed there were problems and that the plan still represented over development of the site.

"Blakey Lane is a country lane and an historic entry to the village. A terrace of houses down one side concerns me."

A spokesman for the objectors said the revised plans looked exactly the same from the front. "We all agree that some development should take place, I think the sticking point is how many and how big the houses should be.

"We ask the council to write to Hambleton asking for the plan for be refused on the grounds the plan is still overdevelopment and would provide an overcrowded street scene spoiling the character of the conservation area."

The parish council decided not to oppose the revised plans by four votes to three.