PROTESTORS opposed to proposals to build 150 homes on green belt land have submitted their formal objections to planners.

Developer Yuill Homes has lodged a planning application for 150 homes at Castle Hills, in Northallerton.

The town's local history society is objecting to the plans and has written to Hambleton District Council, outlining its position.

In a letter to the council's planning department, society secretary John Sheehan said the group objected on both historical and environmental grounds.

He said: "Castle Hills is without doubt the most important historical site in North Yorkshire's county town, probably having been occupied since prehistoric times.

"It has been a central feature of the town through the ages and clear evidence of a Roman presence has been found over the centuries.

"Over the years, it has clearly been a strategic military site, in particular during the wars with Scotland.

"The site is an important green lung' in the centre of the expanding settlement and should be turned over to recreational use in its entirety.

"We would be very happy to contribute to such a scheme with appropriate information boards and historical walks."

A spokesman for Yuill Homes said the company has a "proven track record of careful planning and expertise when considering areas for development".

He said: "In the case of Castle Hills, we have taken full archaeological advice, have a specialist consultant and have also been in discussions with the county archaeologist. Proposals for development on this site are limited to areas which are not archaeologically sensitive."

A separate planning application, for more than 300 homes on an adjacent site, at Yafforth Road in the town, has been submitted to the district council by developer Taylor Wimpey.

Members of the public can hay their say on the proposals until Wednesday, May 16.

The applications are expected to be considered by the authority's planning committee in May or June.

For more information, visit hambleton.gov.uk