PLANS to build homes on a greenfield site between a pub and superstore on a key road into Ripon should go ahead, councillors decided.

But because they voted against officers' advice, they must re-run the application at the next meeting of a Harrogate Borough Council planning committee.

Applicants Richmond Hill Limited want to build five homes, with garaging and landscaping, on a field between Morrisons supermarket and the Wheatsheaf Inn, a landmark pub on the southern entry into Ripon near the city's bypass.

Planning officer Andy Hough, recommending refusal, said there was no need for further greenfield housing in the Ripon area.

Enough sites, he insisted, had been given permission to meet housing needs.

Granting extra sites would conflict with Harrogate Borough Council's plan to monitor and manage the approach to releasing housing land, he said.

Mr Hough said development would clearly alter the outlook from neighbouring property, although the new development would be sited to ensure adequate amenities for residents.

Although Ripon City Council did not object, it said it would resist any further development on this route into Ripon.

It expressed concern about in-fill sites in Ripon growing out of control, and said that if the development did go ahead, more trees should be added to landscaping plans.

Local objectors said the Ripon housing market was particualrly affected by over- provision of housing and believed the design looked uninspiring.