RESIDENTS of Kirkbymoorside have warned government officials that granting a formerly refused housing development on appeal could lead to serious traffic accidents and would have a detrimental impact on the town.

A public inquiry in to the refusal to grant 225 homes on land at Westfield proposed by Gladman Developments Ltd began at Ryedale House yesterday, chaired by a government inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

The proposal, which would have included affordable housing and bungalows for elderly people, was rejected at a planning meeting in February on the grounds that it would have caused “significant and demonstrable harm” on the form and character of the town and was not in keeping with the council’s Local Plan Strategy.

Kirkbymoorside resident Neville Kirby, of West End, has lived in the town for 27 years and warned that if the appeal was granted, the increase in traffic from the extra housing could have fatal consequences.

He said: “The congestion in the town at the present time is appalling. It is only a matter of time before traffic congestion in the town brings about some serious accidents.”

Speaking on behalf of the residents of the town, Coun Sarah Ward, of Kirkbymoorside Town Council, suggested that figures regarding whether Ryedale District Council had a five year land supply were not up to date and that a decision on the appeal should not be made based on these figures.

If the refusal was to be overturned, the developments would go some way toward meeting housing demand and a five year land supply.

Coun Ward said that the figures given to the inspectorate, showing that the council did not have a five year land supply, were from June and should have been recalculated three months later.

She said: “It seems a particularly unreasonable reason for determination when we are looking at a figure that is considerably out of date.

“I am very disappointed that the council has not recalculated the five year land supply figures as it could mean that we do in fact have a five year land supply.”

Kirkbymoorside Town Mayor Coun Chris Dowie said: “Developments should be small to medium to allow the town to grow incrementally. The town could not cope with a large development in such a short period of time.

“The proposed development would have a disastrous impact on the character and landscape of the town.”

The inquiry, which is expected to last between two to four days, opened with evidence from Robin Newlove as a planning witness on behalf of the council after he was asked in May to review the council’s reasons for refusals.

In his proof of evidence statement he said: “It is my professional opinion that both the council’s two reasons for refusal are both legitimate and potent. They should therefore be upheld, and the appeal dismissed.”

He was then questioned by both Ryedale District Council representatives and Paul Tucker QC on behalf of Gladman Developments Ltd.

Mr Tucker said that one of the most “startling features of this site” was that it had “been repeatedly recommended for approval by officers."

He said: “This is a good scheme which is palpably needed which is consistent with the Local Plan Strategy and against which there is no meaningful land use reason to withhold consent.”

The inquiry continues.