PEOPLE power has reaped big benefits in Stokesley.

Controversial plans to develop a former council depot and bus station site in the town are to go ahead - but with major modifications.

Changes to the scheme, which includes a new library, sheltered housing and new homes, have been achieved through lengthy and tough talking from residents.

Yesterday, Hambleton Council development control committee approved plans for 40 flats, meeting facilities, offices and 12 dwellings for Broadacres Housing Association and a separate scheme for 13 self-contained flats on the adjacent former bus station site for AWG Residential.

And a condition covering a project for 12 homes and garages on the council depot land has been reversed.

Development by Yuill can now go ahead without curbs on access for building vehicles.

Massive changes have been achieved on design and materials for the Broadacres scheme, mainly involving the library and offices.

A zinc metal roof will now be a conventional slate pitched design and some three-storey properties have been cut down to two. Materials will be those deemed to be more in keeping with a market town.

Head of development control Maurice Cann said: "The parish council now has no objections to the revised plans. Previously, it was a futuristic concept and now it is a more conventional design.

"All the other issues raised, such as access and landscaping, are now acceptable."

But some problems still persist.

An objector speaking on behalf of residents said the library design was not ideal, but better than it had been.

"We did not object to the overall scheme but to the proximity of the 40 flats to our homes and the noise we will have to put up with as developers have been given permission to work from 7am to 9pm," he said.

Committee chairman Coun Geoff Ellis sympathised. He felt a working limit of 6pm would have been more acceptable and officers are to look into this.

Ward councillor Mike Richardson said: "This design is an improvement but I am still worried about the closeness of existing properties and access."

Amended plans for the 13 flats went through with little comment.

Couns Richardson and Griffiths both praised the dialogue between developers and residents and council to meet concerns.

"I welcome the consultation with residents and would like to see this approach used in other planning applications," she said.

With regard to the Yuill development, it was felt compromises from the firm meant the access restriction could be reversed.

Councillors had agreed to the application in principle but wanted access for construction site traffic to be limited to North Road.

Yuill felt this could hit building schedules.

Objector Mr Robinson said: "This is a blatant bid to change the decision to impose conditions. The interests of residents and road safety must be paramount."

Coun John Coulson said the restriction had been approved by full council and questioned if the move to rescind was in order.

"It is a mockery," he said. "We should stick to our guns and impose the condition.