PLANS for an additional 87 homes for a housing development in Malton have been approved despite concerns from campaigners over air quality and congestion in the town.

The extra properties are part of a scheme on The Showfield site in Pasture Lane, which will part-fund the proposed new livestock market and business centre on the outskirts of Old Malton.

Councillor Lindsay Burr, a member of Ryedale District Council's planning committee, said although more houses were needed the town was rapidly changing and at some point it was time to say enough is enough.

"I made a very strong argument that we have to consider the big picture and argued strongly that taking everything in to account the application should be refused," she said.

"I argued that due to issues with more traffic in town, no manageable enforceable traffic plan in place, air quality at Butcher corner is a major worry, not knowing the out come of the proposed HGVs ban on the town, all theses issues were a concern and had to be considered."

Local air quality campaigner Ian Conlan, who spoke at the planning meeting, said: "I am concerned about the amount of additional traffic this development will generate, as well as that from the 650 housing permissions already granted in Malton, particularly around the primary schools in Highfield Road and the air quality impact in the centre of Malton."

The housing development is part of an interlinked package of proposals, which will provide for the relocation of Malton’s livestock market to a new agri-business centre and business park on land next to Eden Camp.

The project is being developed by Commercial Development Projects (CDP) in partnership with Malton and Ryedale Farmers Livestock Market Company and Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation.

Charles Vyvyan, from CDP, said: “We are pleased that members approved this planning application. It brings the next phase inline with densities for the first part of the site, which is in the process of being completed by Linden Homes.

"The issue of air quality and traffic was raised, but the both the environmental health officer at the council and North Yorkshire County Council highways officers both stated that, with mitigation, there would not be harmful impacts on either air quality or traffic impact from these plans.

"This site already had planning permission for new houses and increasing the number will help to provide further new homes here.”