A HOUSING association has written to residents outlining its reasons for resubmitting a contentious application to build a 59-home extra care scheme in Bedale.

The plans for the development off Queen Anne’s Drive attracted dozens of objections when they were first submitted towards the end of last year by Broadacres Housing Association.

North Yorkshire County Council is supportive of the scheme, saying there is a need for such a facility in Bedale, but it was rejected by Hambleton District Council.

Residents complained about the scale of the development, saying it would bring more traffic problems to an already busy area.

And at the district council's planning meeting in January, one Bedale councillor described the design as 'colossal', 'horrendous' and entirely out of character with the area, before likening it to a prison wing.

The Northern Echo:

An image showing how the proposed scheme would sit within Queen Anne’s Drive

However, this week Broadacres is resubmitting a planning application to the district council and has already lodged an appeal with The Planning Inspectorate over the initial decision to reject it.

Under planning laws, Broadacres is exercising its right to make a further planning application within a 12-month period.

This is allowed when either a material change has been made to the previous application or if further supporting evidence can be provided.

In the new application, Broadacres has specifically addressed the areas on which planning was originally refused.

This includes producing a new design report, confirming that it is the only viable site in Bedale for an extra care scheme and confirming that residents in the four existing bungalows earmarked for demolition have all been found, and accepted, alternative homes within the Queen Anne’s estate.

Broadacres has also used statistics to reinforce the need for an extra care housing scheme in Bedale.

It cites population projections showing the number of people aged over 65 in the town is set to grow from 25.9 per cent to 35.2 per cent by 2043.

Broadacres’ chief executive Gail Teasdale said: “As a community-based not-for-profit charity, Broadacres believes being able to age well by living independently while being supported in your own community is really important.

“Bedale is the only market town in Hambleton without an extra care scheme and the site is the only one close enough to the town centre to enable residents to walk or take public transport to access local amenities, which are vital in ensuring they remain connected to their social and family networks.

“This will play an important part in residents’ continued health and wellbeing.

“It is clear that Hambleton has an above average elderly population, one which is only going to get older, and we hope this, along with many other submissions we have made in the new application, will enable us to proceed with this much-needed extra care scheme in Bedale.”