A CITY council has protested over plans to demolish an engineering works and replace it with eight homes.

Ripon City Council believes Tritan Engineering, which is making the application, is seeking an over intensive and out-of- character development.

The council is also concerned about what it describes as extreme lack of parking as well as loss of amenity for residents.

Tritan Engineering, of Bondgate Green Lane, Ripon, has been operating for almost 20 years.

The applicants want to see five three-bedroom homes, one two- bedroom unit and two single-bedroom properties to be built on the site.

Planning officer Andy Hough said the high-density scheme has limited parking, but provided a mix of house sizes. Given the character of nearby homes and its closeness to the city centre he would not object.

"The development would improve the visual appearance of the street scene at the edge of Ripon conservation area," he says.

Mr Hough is recommending approval when members of Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council meet tomorrow to consider the issue.