A CITY where a huge gypsum crater forced nearby homes to be demolished and shut a road for two-and-a-half years is likely to see plans for new homes held up over fears of unstable land.

Planning chiefs are calling for a ground stability study of land off Westgate, Ripon, before final approval is given for two bungalows.

Planning officer Jill North said the site was within an area where unstable land may exist because of gypsum.

Ripon hit the headlines five years ago when a crater forced closure of Ure Bank Terrace. It swallowed up a large section of garden, a brick built garage and eventually caused families to leave nearby homes.

It was eventually filled in by North Yorkshire County Council, showing only minor signs of movement since.

Because of gypsum fears in the area, planners are seeking ground condition reports before developments are given permission.

The Westgate site is more than a mile from the Ure Bank area, but it is also within an area of archaeological importance. North Yorkshire's Heritage Unit has advised that an historic evaluation is also needed ahead of approval.

Approval of the scheme is being recommended, subject to the ground condition and archaeological studies, when members of Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council meet on Tuesday.