WORK on a major new development in north Northallerton – including a link road and bridge between Darlington and Stokesley roads – gets underway this week.

Construction teams from Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey have moved on to the site to begin preparing the land for work to begin on the initial 300 homes and the road.

It means a plan to create around 1,000 new homes, a school, retail space, sport and recreational areas and sites for businesses – and the new road – will finally come to fruition.

The scheme has been in development for several years and brings together a consortium of developers and funders – including a £6m grant from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership to help deliver the scheme.

The road will add capacity to the local road network to minimise the developments impact and will provide an alternative route through the town avoiding the Low Gates level crossing.

Hambleton District Council leader Mark Robson said the authority was delighted that work was starting.

He added: “We have been working on this scheme since it was included in our Local Development Framework almost seven years ago, so to see it coming to fruition is good news because we believe it will deliver big economic and community benefits for Northallerton.”