RESIDENTS of a Richmondshire village fear the idyllic setting of their homes could be under threat as a developer wants to build 50 new houses.

Robin Greenwell, from Melsonby, said he first became aware of the proposals two weeks ago when a notice appeared in the parish newsletter announcing an upcoming display about the development.

But when he received a leaflet through his door the following week outlining the plans for 50 new homes he was shocked.

“I realised the leaflet had only been circulated to homes in the immediate vicinity to where the building would take place – but everyone in the village has a right to know the plans,” he said.

“There are only 260 homes in the village at the moment so another 50 would seriously change the face of the village – and considering there are very few amenities and the roads won’t be able to withstand the extra traffic.”

The area being considered is to the west of Moor Road and the football field in the village.

Mr Greenwell added: “In the past there was a development proposed for just outside the village that was turned down, but it would have been more suitable than this.”

Mr Greenwell acted as chairman of a meeting between residents and developers Mulberry Homes on Thursday night so people could put their questions to the developers.

He said there were concerns that there were no shops in the village and the pub was up for sale. There are also fears of problems with infrastructure, sewage, flooding, and he said residents did not feel there was a demand locally for housing.

A spokesman for Mulberry Homes Yorkshire said: “We are currently only at the pre-planning stage of this development, and as part of this we have already held a community consultation where we outlined our plans to local residents and listened to their concerns.

“We understand the concerns of residents and are working with them and other stakeholders, such as highways and the water board, and we are confident that we will be able to find solutions to the issues raised, and that the development will have no detrimental impact on the surrounding area.

“There is a demand for high quality housing in this part of Richmondshire and 30 per cent of the proposed development would be allocated for local people, either through sale or rent.”