A CONTROVERSIAL planning development for 260 homes in Ryedale granted planning permission after a councillor pressed the approval button on the electronic voting system by accident will now go to a high court hearing.

Gladman Developments Ltd was granted permission for the homes to be built at Westfield, Kirkbymoorside earlier this year when Ryedale District Councillor David Cussons, who was against the housing development, inadvertently pressed the approval button at a planning meeting.

Since then an application to Leeds High Court has been submitted by William Shaw and Brian Hewitt to bring judicial review proceedings in order to challenge the council’s decision to grant planning permission.

Kirkbymoorside Mayor Coun Chris Dowie has welcomed the news and hopes that if the decision is overturned the council will reject it when it comes back to council.

“I am very pleased that this is going to happen and someone who is objective can have a look at it,” she said.

“I am hoping that if it does come back to the council that they will think more carefully about it and think in terms of what is best for Kirkbymoorside. There is a need for more housing for older people and those who need care but they should be small and medium developments, not one large one.”

Gladman Developments Ltd is contesting the proceedings and a date is yet to be confirmed for the hearing. If Mr Shaw and Mr Hewitt are successful, the decision to grant planning permission will be revoked and referred back to Ryedale District Council planning committee.

In another development Gladman has also submitted another application for 225 homes on Kirkdale Road, Kirkbymoorside which is due to appear before the planning committee next year. 35 per cent of these homes would be affordable, the company has said.