THE go ahead has been given for a new housing estate on a Greenfield site on the edge of a market town in the face of major opposition.

Leyburn town council objected along with many local residents. A petition with 150 signatures was submitted to planners.

Householders protested that the new estate with 41 homes would increase traffic problems, with a dangerous exit already around Brentwood where the site is to be built, one of the major access roads into the town.

They’re also concerned about drainage and sewerage problems.

The scheme for outline planning permission was approved by Richmondshire Planning committee. Councillors were told the scale of the scheme had been reduced from 60 houses to 41 with up to 12 being affordable homes for discounted sale if a £69,000 contribution is made from public housing funds.

Brentwood Residents Association objected, in a statement they said:”The site is of ecological significance. Destruction of this ancient meadow is undesirable and detrimental to the town and district. Construction of the medical centre was accepted as a departure from policy at the time. It has resulted in environmental and traffic problems. Further expansion should not be accepted again contrary to the local plan.

“Additional traffic will cause nuisance, air pollution and noise with a potential increase in accidents on a road which was not designed for this level of use.”

The town council warned: “ The exit onto the main road is also very dangerous. There are currently long standing issues down Brentwood with the drainage and sewerage it is vital that these are resolved before more houses are built.”

Planning officer Peter Featherstone told councillors the highways authority had investigated concerns over the access and traffic.

He said: “The suitability and safety of local roads to serve the proposed development has been referred to extensively in objections and representations received from local residents and the Town Council, but the Highway Authority are satisfied on these matters on the basis that a contribution of up to £15,000 will be made towards necessary highway works between the site and the A684.”

Objectors said even the reduced number of houses was too many and would be an overdevelopment of that area of the town.