PROTESTORS have warned that the access onto a proposed new housing development could result in accidents.

Sheila and Bruce Brooksbank say the latest development of 88 houses planned by Persimmon Homes at South End in Bedale will swamp the area, where 450 new houses have already been approved.

The couple, both in their 70’s, live next to the site at Lyngarth Farm, which has been allocated for housing in the local development plan. An online petition has already been set up against the application, which is due to go before Hambleton District Council's planning committee at the end of March.

Developers Persimmon say the scheme will provide much needed new housing and jobs.

Mrs Brooksbank said the access is onto a small country road used by farm traffic, vans and lorries and as a relief road into the town.

“At times like these the traffic on the B6285 is bumper to bumper and finding entry or exit onto the new estate will be an accident waiting to happen,” she added.

The couple were told when they bought their home in 1997 that Persimmon was due to build on part of the site but that the rest of it was Greenfield.

“Now we learn the Greenfield site is being built upon and it’s due to start soon. Do we really need more houses? There are already five sites in the process of being built upon and another four earmarked for future building, surely enough is enough.”