A PLAN for 99 new homes in north Helmsley is set to be approved, after the decision was deferred last year.

The development of a 64-apartment ‘extra care’ block and 35 separate houses at the end of Ashwood Close was mooted for approval in December, but was deferred by the North York Moors planning committee in order to seek amendments to aspects of the housing design and layout.

It is now set to be discussed at the planning meeting on Thursday, January 19 at 10am.

Developers Keepmoat have submitted amended plans after the planning director’s report requested changes to the design and siting of houses to preserve the views out to open fields from nearby existing homes.

The recommendation for approval by the director of planning is based upon conditions including that an agreement be made to ensure that the 44 ‘affordable’ properties in the plan “remain affordable in perpetuity”.

In addition, the site of the development is currently used as a playing field, and one of the stipulations of planning is that a replacement playing field site is found.

The planning director’s recommendation report says: “The proposed development provides for a good mix of housing types and is considered to be generally in keeping with surrounding development.”

The open market houses would comprise 15 three-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom houses, built in a mix of building materials, including brick and stone, slate and tile.

The report states that a renewable energy report has been submitted which is proposing solar PV across the whole development including the extra care and housing.