AN application to build 30 new houses on the outskirts of a Ryedale town has been made to the district council.

The development is planned for a parcel of land off Ruffa Lane, on the eastern edge of Pickering.

The application’s design and access statement by AAH planning consultants outlines the location as being opposite the new housing development at Shepherds Hill.

The statement’s summary says: “The proposed development would constitute sustainable development in a sustainable location that respects the existing character of the settlement.”

The site lies just outside the development limits of Pickering, and therefore is classed as being in open countryside.

However the design and access statement for the application suggests that housing applications should be considered “in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development”.

It says: “The site provides an excellent opportunity to provide good quality housing and affordable housing which integrate well within this existing residential area.” The statement adds that “up to 40 per cent of the proposed dwellings will be affordable housing”.

The government defines affordable housing as “social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.”

According to the district council website, the 1.1 hectare parcel of land, currently an agricultural field.

In 1993, 1998 and 2003 there were change-of-use applications from agricultural land to a nine-hole ‘pay-and-play’ course with car park. These were approved each time.

The application will be determined by the planning committee with an expiry date of September 20 and a decision deadline of October 25.