CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their fight to stop plans for a controversial extra care complex which has been dubbed ‘monstrous’ after new moves to get planning permission.

Objectors to the plan by Broadacres and North Yorkshire County Council for an extra care complex of 59 apartments in Bedale say the authorities are being underhand in putting in a second planning application during the coronavirus crisis.

They’re demanding the application goes to a full public meeting of Hambleton District Council’s planning committee, preferably delayed, until the restrictions are relaxed.

Resident Simon Mason said: “The application is identical to the previous one. “We’re asking people to make their views known, we’re calling on people to have their say because we need to make clear that nothing has changed.

“My concern is they are trying to sneak this through.

“They have appealed against the application, that could mean a public inquiry, this is so out of order to go for a second application.”

Fellow resident Anne Hare said: “It looks exactly the same. I think they are being underhand and sneaky and it makes them look untrustworthy.

“It is simply the wrong place, the traffic is terrible in that area, the junction at Five Lane Ends is dangerous and difficult to cross, this should not go ahead. “The proposed build is still a huge block of flats squeezed onto a site that is far too small for it.

“It is monstrous.”

During the coronavirus pandemic, Hambleton District Council has suspended meetings, with decisions made by a consultative panel of three councillors including the chair, vice chair and the portfolio holder for planning.

A spokesperson said they are investigating possible ways of holding a planning committee process in line with restrictions.

They added: “Once the consultation period has expired, the planning case officer will assess the merits of the application, taking into consideration all written representations received from the campaigners. A report will then be prepared, all comments will be addressed in that, and presented to a Consultative Panel of Elected Members.

“The Panel will express a preference as to whether the application is to be determined by officers, under the current emergency delegated powers issued in response to the pandemic, or if they wish for Members to make the final decision. The Chief Planning Officer will then decide if the emergency delegated powers should be used or not, giving significant weight to the views of the Panel.”

Broadacres declined to comment further, instead referring to previous Northern Echo articles in which they have pointed out the need for an extra care housing scheme in the town.

They have also previously issued graphics showing how the care home will look in situ in a bid to ease residents’ concerns over its visual impact on the neighbourhood.