PLANS to build 65 timber holiday homes on an airfield near Wombleton have been deferred to allow the applicant to address various planning concerns.

The application, which was discussed by members of Ryedale District Council’s planning committee last week, was submitted by GraceMax Ltd and proposes to construct the holiday park in an 8.5 hectare site off Hungerhill Lane.

The application said: “The vision is to develop a high-quality development of static holiday units to provide and ideal retreat for those wishing to get away for a short or longer holiday break in peaceful and attractive surroundings.”

But the application was recommended for refusal by planning officers, chiefly due to the “extreme and adverse juxtaposition” of the proposed development in relation to the nearby operational runway.

This proximity would, officers said, create “an unacceptable safety risk”.

Wombleton aerodrome has three operational runways but they are under private license with no ‘commercial’ use.

The committee heard that as plans stand, four of the 3.6 metre tall cabins would be directly ‘in line’ with one of the runways on its northern edge.

Barry Grice of the local parish council, addressed the committee and voiced a number of local concerns. He said: “The main street in Wombleton is narrow - residents are concerned about increased traffic through this conservation village resulting from the proposed application.

“We feel it is out of proportion to the area and have concerns that there are already many holiday parks close by. The visual impact of so many cabins would have a detrimental effect on the area.”

The committee voted for to defer the application.

The application will now return to the committee at a later date with the applicant committing to various changes including a revised site layout, an ecological report, and consultation with the civil aviation authority.