Ryedale needs homes. That is an inescapable fact that most people accept. Indeed, at a residents’ meeting held on April 8 to discuss the proposed new development between Castle Howard and Middlecave Roads, it was a point upon which everyone agreed.

However, there is growing concern that the growth of Malton is occurring in a totally unplanned manner, which is denying local people their right to have a say on how the town should grow and where that development should take place.

Ryedale is now, more than ever, under threat from large-scale, unplanned, speculative developments. In addition to the recent scheme granted in Broughton Road, there are proposals for housing in Rainbow Lane, Pasture Lane (the Showfield site), Westgate, Old Malton and between Middlecave Road and Castle Howard Road. There are also equally destructive plans for Kirkbymoorside and Pickering.

It simply does not have to be like this. The planning system is supposed to be plan-led. This means that planning applications should be decided on the basis of what is contained in the Local Plan (or, where there is one, the Neighbourhood Plan). The housing allocations made in those documents are the ones which have been subject to consultation with the local community and where the community has had the opportunity to air their views before and independent Planning Inspector.

If Ryedale District Council had its Sites Allocation Document in place, the opportunist developments such as Broughton “Manor” would not have taken place and the character of the town would not now be threatened by vast areas of new housing.

If, the district council is not likely to have a Sites Allocations Plan in place soon, then the two town councils need to work together to produce a Neighbourhood Plan for the towns. This can embrace local opinions and provide a framework for the gradual growth needed to provide new houses and the associated infrastructure.

Our group intends to work with both councils and other local advocacy groups to ensure we have a local plan for sustained, positive growth to our community, and block the speculative urbanisations proposed for the district. Speeding up site allocations on the plans will be priority.

Now is the time that we need to act and fight for growth within a local framework. We live in a wonderful, working town in the lush and verdant region of Ryedale. Let us build a better Malton.

Planning for new houses and related development has to be organic and incremental in communities as small and close knit as ours. Locally planned by the town and district councils.

Liam O’Brien and Ian Conlan, on behalf of the residents at the neighbourhood meeting on April 8 in Malton