LONG-AWAITED plans for one of the largest-ever housing developments in Norton are being submitted to Ryedale District Council (RDC).

The development, off Beverley Road, includes over 600 homes and a new primary school site along with a link road to Hugden Way to help reduce traffic congestion through the town centre.

National developers Barratt Developments Yorkshire East and Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd have been working together since 2015 on the multi-million pound Norton Lodge development.

The plans are being submitted following a public consultation in 2018.

They include 672 homes of various sizes which are expected to be completed in two phases over a number of years.

The site will also deliver a new link road to Norton Grove Industrial Estate with the aim of taking HGVs away from existing routes along with 2.1Ha of land for a new 240-pupil primary school and public open space.

The location of the school has been changed from the initial proposals to the front of the site and to include a car park, drop-off section and pedestrian and cycle access.

Discussions are expected to take place with North Yorkshire County Council regarding the building of the school, which will have the potential to expand.

The development of one to five-bedroom houses is expected to create 186 construction jobs and apprenticeships.

The site is identified as a proposed housing site allocation within RDC’s local plan to help meet the housing needs of Malton and Norton over the next 10 years.

Norton County and District Councillor Keane Duncan, said: “With more than 600 houses proposed on the site this development is one of the largest ever in Norton, and indeed one of the largest in Ryedale.

Cllr Duncan said: “While the link road and new school are very welcome additions, the proposed scale of this further expansion of the town brings with it lots of questions about other infrastructure which must be addressed.

“I hope that everyone in Norton can share their views - positive and negative - to ensure they are heard by the developer and the council’s planning team.”

Members of Norton Town Council, who debated the proposed plans in 2018 welcomed the link road to ease congestion.

Concerns were also expressed about the priorities given to affordable houses.

A joint spokesperson for Barratt Developments Yorkshire East and Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd said: “We can confirm that Barratt Developments Yorkshire East and Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd have submitted a full planning application to build up to 672 much-needed new homes on land at Beverley Road in Norton.

“The proposed development is an allocated housing site in the Ryedale District Council’s Local Plan for the area and will include provision for a section of the strategic relief road to Hugden Way and land for a new primary school.

“As well as bringing a variety of affordable housing to the region, the proposed development will also see over £8m invested in local public services and community infrastructure and will create over 200 direct and indirect job opportunities locally.

“We look forward to working with Ryedale District Council to bring our plans for the site to fruition over the coming months.”

A spokesperson for Ryedale District Council said: “We have not yet received the complete application and await its arrival.”