CAMPAIGNERS cheered last night after a new 500-home development in Malton was refused planning permission.

Ryedale District Council's planning committee unanimously voted against the High Malton scheme submitted by The Fitzwilliam Malton Estate (FME).

FME's plan for the 21-hectare site between Castle Howard Road and Middlecave Road was recommended for refusal by planning officer Jill Thompson - and councillors backed her report.

West Malton Residents’ Group (WRMG) campaigned against the plan and staged a protest of more than 60 people before last night's meeting at Malton School.

WRMG chairman Ian Conlan said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I wouldn't have dreamt that it was going to be such an open and shut case.

"I'm very pleased that they followed the officer's recommendation.

"It is very clear that the members of the committee took our concerns very seriously."

Ms Thompson said the application had been with council for one and a half years and "raised a number of issues and concerns".

Reasons cited for refusal included concerns over the development's size, air pollution, traffic, lack of social housing and damage to the views of areas such as the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Local ward member, cllr Lindsay Burr said: "Housing is very important to Malton and the surrounding areas, but not at any cost."

However, Malton School headteacher Rob Williams backed the scheme and said he was also speaking on behalf of the heads at the town's two primary schools.

Mr Williams said the development would mean more pupils and therefore more vital funding for local schools.

"It's getting harder and harder for smaller primary schools and smaller secondary schools to remain economically viable,” he said.

Hannah Andrew, of WYG, the developer acting for FME, said the report was "particularly regrettable" and had a "frustrating focus on detailed matters at this outline stage".

She stressed: "We have taken great care to design an exceptional scheme."

A spokesman for FME said they would issue a press release next week.