PLANS to build 43 timber holiday homes on an airfield near Wombleton have been recommended for refusal

The application, by GraceMax Ltd, proposes to construct the holiday park on an 8.5 hectare site off Hungerhill Lane.

Full permission for the change of use of part of the surrounding airfield land to develop 65 holiday units was originally sought last November. However, a decision was deferred to allow the applicant to address various planning concerns.

In the revised scheme the number of units has been reduced to provide an area of landscaping and stand off to comply with separation distances regarding aviation safety. Wombleton aerodrome has three operational runways but they are under private licence with no commercial use.

Wombleton Parish Council has restated their objections due to the impact on the village, adding until such time as it has been deemed that the sister application for 29 units, which has been granted, proves to be a success and that further units are actually necessary.

A further 22 letters of objection to the plans have been made and six in favour commenting that the holiday park would provide good quality tourist facilities and bring more business to local trade

A report to Ryedale District Council’s planning committee tonight (Tuesday) said: “The proposed nature of the use of the site at the scale proposed by this application, does raise inherent safety questions which the local planning authority cannot provide any authoritative answers to address.

“The proposal is considered to be incapable of ensuring the safety of the occupants of the lodges. Therefore, it is considered that despite the efforts made to bring the scheme into a state of broad plan compliance , it is not considered that it can meet the requirements of Policy SP20, as there is considered to be an unacceptable risk to human life, health and safety or unacceptable risk to property.”