REJECTED plans for up to 170 new homes on the outskirts of Catterick Garrison will be reconsidered by councillors next month – a move objectors have described as “sheer madness.”

The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) application to build houses for servicemen and women on a field to the north-east of the Somme Barracks was turned down by Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee last July.

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval but many nearby residents were strongly opposed.

Last month, the MOD resubmitted the plans, stating: “We consider the original planning case for [the] development at Breckenbrough Lane remains sound and robust.”

Objectors disagree and many have voiced their concerns on the council’s online planning portal ahead of the committee meeting on July 26.

Richard Jinks said: “I am very upset and concerned about the re-application for 170 units on the land north-east of Somme Barracks. In my opinion nothing has changed. Why have they been allowed to put in another application when they have already been refused the first time? What is difference on this application to the previous one?”

Anne Simpson said: “You have already allowed hundreds of new houses to be built in the Colburn and Catterick Garrison area without adequate provision of school places, sewerage, suitable roads and other aspects of infrastructure absolutely essential for so many new properties. Now you are prepared to give permission to add even more. This is sheer madness.”

The reasons cited for refusing the application last year were that the committee was not satisfied there were no appropriate brownfield sites, the lack of school places and infrastructure for roads, public transport and drainage, and the strength of local objection.

Peter Simpson, whose house overlooks the 8.8 hectare site, said he felt let down.

“It would appear that despite a huge turnout at the original planning meeting when the application was turned down that the residents who objected are being treated with utter contempt,” he added.

The proposal is in response to a “critical” need to create 315 new homes on the garrison. In March, outline plans for up to 170 homes to the north of Le Cateau Primary School were approved, and the MOD says the Breckenbrough Lane is the only other viable location.

They say the timescale for developing brownfield sites in their possession can run into several years -even if they appear vacant- making them unsuitable to meet the immediate need.

A Richmondshire District Council spokesperson said the applicant was entitled to either appeal or submit another application demonstrating why the committee should take a different view.

She said the new application was essentially the same but differs with the inclusion of the applicant’s response to the refusal reasons.