CONTROVERSIAL plans for up to 58 houses have been approved despite residents’ concerns over stretched village amenities.

Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee heard the proposals for land to the west of Scorton, which would extend on the north side of the B6271 as far as a former road known as Back Lane.

Another application for 64 houses on land north of Scorton Medical Centre on Stags Way was refused.

Both proposals raised fears about overcrowding at the Bolton-on-Swale St Mary’s Church of England Primary School and Scorton Medical Centre.

The approval is subject to a contribution from North Yorkshire local education authority (LEA) of £197,142 for the increased capacity.

Developers will need to deliver 40 per cent affordable houses with details of the tenure, mix and types of affordable properties to be determined at the reserved matters stage.

A football pitch was also part of the original proposal, but was removed in response to feedback from the parish council.