PLANS to build 22 houses at a Aiskew chicken farm have been refused by councillors.

The proposals were for a mix of house sizes and styles, and for two office units.

The applicants, Mr and Mrs R Stead, said new, modern, chicken sheds would have to be built if the poultry business was to continue.

In support of their application, they said removal of the sheds would improve the quality of lives for their neighbours. In addition, half of the poultry farm would be converted into a paddock.

North Yorkshire County Council had said Back Lane would have to be upgraded and other improvements would need carrying out at a cost of £20,000.

Yesterday, Hambleton planning committee heard that an environmental health officer had taken two complaints from residents on a nearby estate about odours from the chicken farm. However, it was not possible to prove that any laws had been broken. Previous complaints had coincided with the removal of chickens and the cleaning of sheds.

The applicants said the scheme was of high quality and there had been five letters of support or raising no objections. However there had been six letters of objection.

The planning committee was told that the scheme was outside Aiskew's development limits and could lead to further development, and join Aiskew with Leeming.

Hambleton District Council noted that the land was currently classed as agricultural land and was therefore a greenfield site. There was also an over supply of housing in the area.

New businesses and industrial premises were not allowed outside development limits and the scheme could be harmful to the character of the area, a report to the committee said.

Mr Steve Quartermain, director of planning, said under the proposal trees were to be removed and the visual improvements were debatable.

He added that modern chicken buildings could solve the problems of smell. Any odours were often short lived