COUNCILLORS in a Ryedale town have spoken of their disappointment at a decision to grant outline planning permission for more than 200 homes on appeal.

The government inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct an appeal in to the refusal for 225 homes in Kirkbymoorside on land at Westfield, published his report earlier this week which stated that the appeal had been allowed.

A two day public inquiry was conducted where the inspector heard evidence from Gladman Developments Ltd who were proposing the plans and objections from members of the town council and local residents.

The news to grant outline planning permission for the development has delivered a huge blow to the residents of Kirkbymoorside who have objected tirelessly to the development.

Concerns were previously raised regarding the size of the development and the impact it would have on the towns character.

Kirkbymoorside mayor Councillor Chris Dowie said she felt as though the town had been let down by the way the case had been defended at Ryedale House during the inquiry.

She said: “I think that the way it was defended was not very good. I am not surprised at the outcome but I am disappointed with the decision.

“There is potential for the development to be a good one despite it not being something that we wanted. We will have to make sure that it is the best that it can be for the people who are living here now and for the people who will be living here in the future.”

Sarah Ward, Ryedale District Councillor and Kirkbymoorside Town Councillor said: “It is disappointing that the appeal has been allowed and that Kirkbymoorside will have such a large development on one site. It is not what we wanted for the town.”

The inspector addressed concerns regarding the five year housing supply in his report stating that the “crucial point” was that the council “concedes that it cannot identify a five-year supply of readily available housing land that would meet the objectively assessed housing requirement.”

He also stated that the town had been identified as one of the three local market towns “capable of supporting growth.”

The inspector said that the concerns from residents about cyclists and pedestrians using the emergency access near the school could be easily solved with the correct planning.

He said: “I am satisfied that the most obvious angers could be designed out.”