A HOUSING estate that was built more than a decade ago could finally be adopted by the county council.

Redrow Homes (Yorkshire) constructed the estate, at Priorpott Mews, off Scarborough Road, in Norton, in two phases, with the first starting in 2005.

However, 12 years on, the roads on the site are still not in a position to be adopted by North Yorkshire County Council.

Mark Stephenson, who runs an estate agency with offices in Malton and Pickering, said he had recently contacted Redrow Homes to find out why the development was still unadopted.

“We sell homes on the development on a regular basis and without fail on every transaction, the matter rear its ugly head,” he said.

“Right now we have a solicitor acting for the buyer advising that they should consider pulling out. The solicitor is at an absolute loss as to why after all these years the roadway remains unadopted.”

A spokesman for NYCC said the authority had processes under which it adopts estate roads.

“This generally involves a Section 38 agreement that requires the developer to complete the road and footways, including all surfacing, and accompanying infrastructure, such as street lighting and drainage, to the county council’s specifications,” he said.

“There will follow a 12-month period during which the developer remains responsible for any maintenance, after which the county council will formally adopt the road as highway maintainable at public expense.

“The developer, Redrow, has not yet secured a Section 38 agreement in respect of the Priorpott Mews development. The planning permission for the development required a mini-roundabout to be installed by the developer at the junction of the estate road and Scarborough Road.

“The developer disputed this requirement. Following discussions, which show the expected traffic conditions that required a mini-roundabout have not occurred, the county council has informed Redrow that this junction is operating satisfactorily, so installation of a mini-roundabout will not be necessary.

“The developer must now apply to the planning authority, Ryedale District Council, for a variation of planning conditions. After this is granted, the adoption process can proceed.”

David Faraday, technical director for Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), said: “Firstly, we must apologise for the delay in sorting this issue and any inconvenience it has caused to people selling or buying a home.

“However, having established and agreed with the highways authority that no mini-roundabout is required, we are now in the process of drawing up a planning application to amend the junction detail and this will be submitted to Ryedale District Council very soon.”

Mr Faraday added: “We will look to do this as quickly as possible and thank those affected for their patience.”