THE transformation of a former concrete pipeworks factory site into a 530-home estate looks set to finally be completed 18 years after the plant’s closure.

Developers behind the second Colburndale housing scheme on 5.7 hectares of the former Arc Factory site off the A6136 Catterick Road, in Colburn said the final 261 homes would be built by 2022 after being granting planning permission by Richmondshire District Council. The scheme follows 272 homes being built on the western half of the site of the former factory, which had stood there since the 1960s.

A meeting of the authority’s planning committee heard the development would have 30 per cent affordable housing, 324 parking spaces and be based around a central village green and one 500sq m and three 200sq m play areas.

Despite extra land being given to enable the thriving Hanson Sports and Social Club to expand, Colburn Town Council had maintained its objections to the scheme, saying there would be a “lack of community gain” in recreational terms.

Councillor Patricia Middlemiss raised concerns over the development exacerbating traffic issues on Catterick Road and questioned why a roundabout did not feature in  the scheme.

The meeting also heard debate over whether a bridleway – which had been routed through the centre of the housing estate due to police concerns it could create a route for thieves on the development’s fringe – would be used.

Councillor Lorraine Hodgson said: “I’m really concerned the bridleway will not work. There will be a lot of cars to frighten the horses.”

Councillor Richard Ormston argued the bridleway would serve as a traffic calming measure in the centre of the estate, but locating it on the estate’s outskirts would create “a rat race for thieves on quad bikes and 4x4s”.

“As a matter of the Highway Code, horse and rider have a priority over cars”, added Councillor Tony Duff. “So the cars have got to slow down for them. The sooner people get that on board the better. There’s nothing wrong with having a bridleway through there.”

Ahead of the scheme being approved, Colburn councillor Angie Dale told the meeting the developers had responded well to “a minefield of issues” in meeting the changing needs of the Colburn community since outline planning permission for the development was approved in 2012.

Other members praised the estate’s mix of 88 two-bedroom, 86 three-bedroom and 15 four-bedroom market value houses as well as 12 one-bedroom flats, with affordable housing “pepper-potted around the site rather than segregated”.

Councillor Ian Threlfall added: “This scheme and the layout should be put forward for some sort of award.”