A MAJOR new housing development has been approved for the outskirts of a village near Catterick Garrison.

Mulberry Homes submitted plans to Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, April 30 for a housing estate with 72 homes, including 27 affordable houses.

Richard Irving, co-director of ID Planning acting as the agent for Mulberry Homes, told the planning committee there had been no formal objection to the application when a presentation evening for the public was held last year.

He said: “The proposal is policy compliant, provides 38 per cent affordable housing and contributes towards off-site public open space and education.

“Mulberry Homes has always taken community consultation as an integral and important part of the planning process so local residents can make comment before the application is submitted.”

The development will include a mixture of four, three, and two bedroom houses as well as 17 bungalows, and care will be given to make sure many of the existing trees will be protected throughout the building work, including two separate large groups on the site.

Head of planning Peter Featherstone said: “The only issues brought up by the parish council have been addressed, and similarly Highways asked for a number of changes to the scheme and they have been done.

“Yorkshire Wildlife said they would like to see some more grass land retained and a funded ecology management plan – the developers have taken steps to make sure some of the grassed areas on the site will be larger but any more might not be achievable.”

The developers will be making a contribution of £108,768 to North Yorkshire County Council towards education in the area, to offset cash needed to meet the increased demand for places at Hipswell Primary School.

Mulberry Homes will also pay a contribution of £22,979 to the county council for improvement works at a nearby play park.

Councillor Keith Loadman said: “This is a very attractive development, and I am especially pleased to see we are getting very close to the desired 40 per cent of affordable homes.

“The people who come to live here can be very proud of this.”

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.