PLANS for a new caravan site in an "undefended" area at risk of flooding from the River Ure near Boroughbridge have been withdrawn.

Members of Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council had been recommended to refuse the application from the Camping and Caravanning Club.

It wanted to site ten touring pitches, 35 static caravans and create a caravan rally area next to a club site in Bar Lane, Roecliffe.

The Environment Agency protested, saying it considered the risk of flooding to the development unacceptable.

A report to committee members by planning officer Mr Andy Hough said the instability of caravans put occupants at special risk and it could be difficult to operate an effective flood warning system.

Mr Hough said, because of its prominent position, the site would have an adverse impact on the landscape and would conflict with North Yorkshire county structure policy.

The scheme had also brought a protest from Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council, which said the scheme would be over-intensive use of the site and visually intrusive on approaching the village.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency says a site earmarked for new homes in the centre of Boroughbridge cannot be totally eliminated from the risk of floodwater, even though recent flood defences have been built.

The agency was commenting on plans for eight new homes to be built at the junction of Horsefair and St Helena in the town's conservation area.

In addition, the agency pointed out that the site had suffered from flooding in the past.

But an application to the area planning committee was given the go-ahead with conditions.

Planning officer Mr Neville Watson said it was a well conceived scheme. But, he added, North Yorkshire highways department and Boroughbridge Town Council wanted to see the footpath along St Helena laid in flagging to match Horsefair.

Five town houses, two semi-detached homes and a detached property will be built on the site of a former betting office and bungalow.