A COMMUNITY which has campaigned against plans for a housing development on its doorstep is preparing for victory.

Planners are expected to refuse Barratt York's proposal to build nearly 100 houses and flats on the site of an old county council depot at Romanby, near Northallerton.

The company's scheme, which includes the building of three-storey town houses, was first unveiled in April to the anger of residents of Manor Green, Richmond Rise and Grange Close.

They said the scale of the development was out of keeping with the character of the area and would result in a loss of privacy for some local people.

And their concerns were shared by officials at Hambleton District Council, who recommended the project be refused planning permission when councillors meet next week.

Planning officer Helen Laws said: "It is considered that the constraints of the site are such that the large number of proposed dwellings is inappropriate and results in an unsatisfactory form of development."

The plan will be discussed at a development control committee meeting in Northallerton on Thursday.