Residents have questioned a report assessing the visual impact of a proposed housing development on Malton as “flawed and misleading”.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been commissioned by the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate following its submission of an outline planning application for 500 houses north of Castle Howard Road, Provisionally named High Malton, the proposed development is described as a self-contained community of homes, shops and employment on a 21-hectare site between Castle Howard Road and Middlecave Road, with the A64 forming the western boundary.

The EIA report is based on assessing the visual impact of the proposed development from viewpoints agreed by Ryedale District Council and the Howardian Hills AONB.

However, members of the West Malton Residents’ Group (WMRG), which is opposing the housing plan, said the report and photographs were taken in summer when there was dense vegetation with thick hedgerows and leaves on the trees.

Ian Conlan, spokesman for the group, said: “Looking from these same vantage points in the winter shows a very different picture. A large-scale development of 500 houses on the boundary of an AONB has to harm the setting of this designated landscape and have a negative impact on the enjoyment of the landscape.”

Mr Conlan said it would also lead to significant changes on the rural approach into Malton. “We are worried on so many fronts about this huge development,” he said.

“Malton is already congested and this development alone could see the population rise by 25 per cent as well as the number of cars. This huge development – this village of 500 houses – with its five-storey buildings and towers, will alter the very nature of our town.

“We invite all concerned residents to sign the petition against it at the 38 degrees website, and also check out our own website, maltonresidents.org.uk, for more details.”

Tobias Burckhardt, surveyor, for the Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, said: “The EIA is now under formal consultation therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage. The estate remains fully committed to working with the council to address the concerns of all parties and bring this site forward for development.”