A TOWN could receive almost £500,000 to fight flooding and extend a primary school if plans for 218 homes are given the go-ahead.

Redrow Homes wants to build the houses on a 5.6-hectare piece of land between Scarborough Road and Norton Grove Industrial Estate, on the north-east side of Norton, near Malton.

The company will offer £150,000 towards a pumping station at Priorpot Beck to stop floodwater backing up the beck from the River Derwent.

Redrow has also agreed to pay £100,000 towards road improvements, to be spent on additional facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and businesses.

Capacity could also be increased at Norton County Primary School, with a contribution from the developer of £150,000 towards a new classroom and cloakroom to accommodate children who live at the development.

The company has also offered £90,000 to improve or provide new play facilities in the town. Ryedale District Council has suggested suitable projects could be improvements to Norton skate park and a youth shelter in Norton and Malton.

Of the 218 homes that are planned, almost half will be designated affordable housing. There will be 98 properties available for rent or discounted sale, including one and two-bedroomed flats, two and three-bedroomed houses, and bungalows.

When the plans were first made public, concerns were raised that the affordable housing could be used by councils as a dumping ground for problem tenants.

Outline planning permission for the development was granted in January, but further approval is needed on access, the design and look of buildings, landscaping, drains and flood risks.

Councillors will consider the plans on Tuesday.

Planning officer Paul Simpson said: "Design and landscaping are vital to the success of the scheme, and it is anticipated that negotiated improvements will lead to a scheme capable of being recommended for approval.

"However, it is important that a decision is made at the meeting, and if failings are still apparent that cannot be resolved early, a recommendation of refusal may be made. It is in everyone's interest that a successful scheme is commenced as soon as possible."