204 homes for Norton (From Gazette & Herald)

204 homes for Norton

A SCHEME to build more than 200 homes at Norton was given the green light by Ryedale District Council's planning committee last night.

Councillors were told by Redrow Homes that 92 of the 204 houses planned for land off Scarborough Road will be classed as affordable homes.

Steven Watson, the company's senior planning manager, said: "The scheme will be of significant benefit to local people."

Redrow, he said, was already working with two housing associations on the affordable homes part of the development. He added that most of the 92 homes would be for affordable rent, the others for discount sale. Access to the homes would be along Scarborough Road.

"In total, the offer of affordable housing represents a £6m discount against open market prices, indicating the level of planning gain," he said.

Mr Watson said the aim is to retain and manage a thicket area at the entrance to the site, creating an informal network of paths.

"Two further areas of open space, with equipped play areas, will be provided to help create an attractive environment for residents."

He added that some funding would be provided by the company towards education facilities in Norton.

Coun Elizabeth Shields said there were some "very positive" aspects of the plan.

She added that homeless people were still coming forward in Ryedale, and the problem was being aggravated by people losing their homes through mortgage debt.

However, she was concerned about potential traffic difficulties and the fact that the area had suffered from flooding in the past. "The Environment Agency (EA) should have a good look at this site," she added.

Coun Shields said North Yorkshire County Council should be questioned about the possibility of building a new primary school in Norton. Children were unable to even see out of the windows of the existing 1890 building because they were so high.

"We have to have negotiations over the access to the site and about another school as well as with the EA," said Coun Shields, who successfully moved that the scheme should be approved in principle.

"We desperately need these homes," she said.

Coun Howard Keal said many local people were being priced out of the housing market and new homes were needed to rectify the balance.

The site was a marshy area, he said, and agreed that the EA needed to carry out an impact assessment. "We must be assured that building new homes will not cause flooding risks," said Coun Keal, who also felt there was a need for a new school because the existing one was "bursting at the seams".

Coun Lindsay Burr was concerned about the density of the development. "It is a site which needs a lot more investigation."

Coun Keith Knaggs said he was delighted that, after years of seeing a "middle and upper range" of houses being built, there was now a change of policy to encourage more affordable homes.

"Every large site will have a raft of problems," said Coun Knaggs, who suggested that the development should be phased.

Ahead of the planning meeting, Ryedale MP John Greenway said: "The fact of the matter is that we need more homes without a doubt."

Coun Keith Mennell, the town mayor of Norton, told the Gazette & Herald that there were concerns about the infrastructure - of adequate primary school places, the sewage system and the volume of traffic which would be generated as a result of the development.

"We feel it is a bit premature," he said. There were particular worries that the only access to the estate would be in Scarborough Road. "There should be an alternative," said Coun Mennell.

There was a need for more affordable housing in Norton, he said, but a decision should be delayed until the issue of necessary services - such as adequate medical services, school places and roads - was resolved.

Norton Town Council was also concerned, he said, about recreation sites within the estate and whether it would be responsible for their maintenance.

Norton Town Coun Ann Scott, whose home at Parliament Avenue, Norton, is next to the site, said: "I think it's a lot of houses which will generate a lot of traffic and put pressure on already near-full local schools. I think 204 homes is too many."

Retired North Yorkshire ambulance crewman Ivan Highmoor, of Parliament Avenue, Norton, said: "It will be like a mini-Leeds. It'll be a sad loss of green fields for Norton, especially for dog owners like myself who use them for exercise.

"Where's the traffic going to go? If there's 200-odd houses, then you can double it to work out the amount of cars. Will Norton be able to take it?"

But Edmund Stone, of Arbour Way, Norton, said he was glad that the proposals included affordable homes. "I understand that the housing association will take 80 of them and I think that's a good thing," he said.

The scheme was approved unanimously and planning officers are now to negotiate with Redrow on details of the scheme.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, January 14, 2004