A dispute about a controversial housing development may be resolved next week when the planning application goes before councillors.

Planning officers say they are hopeful that the proposals by George Wimpey North East, for 36 houses on land off Crosby Road, Northallerton, will be approved.

A similar application for 43 homes on the site was refused earlier this year and an appeal by Wimpey was dismissed.

Residents said the plans were not in keeping with the area and would cause traffic congestion.

But the latest application was discussed at a public meeting last month and so far, no objections have been received by Hambleton District Council.

The plans would see 19 three-bedroomed terraced houses, nine two-bedroomed mid-terraced houses and eight three-bedroomed semi-detached houses built on the site, which is owned by RBA Moody Brothers Limited.

The houses would all be two-storey, removing one of the stumbling blocks to the last application when residents objected to plans for three-storey blocks of flats.

Council planning officer Lydia Spiller said: "It is considered that the reduction in scale of the proposed dwelling to two-storey and the proposed orientation of the buildings overcomes the issues relating to overlooking and overshadowing the residents of Linden Road."

The scheme also includes nine affordable homes, which would be for rent through a housing association, and a 180sq metre play area.

Mrs Spiller said: "So far, we have not received any representations on the scheme, which is a step forward considering the amount of objection that we had last time.

"We had a pre-application meeting and we have reached agreement with all the parties, so we should have a satisfactory outcome at the meeting.

"It is considered that the proposal overcomes the previous reason for refusal and the planning inspector's reasons for dismissal of the appeal.

"The proposed scheme of development will not have a detrimental impact upon the amenities of existing residents of surrounding properties and future residents of the proposed dwellings."

The council's development control committee will discuss the plans at 10.30am on Thursday, at the Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton.