North Yorkshire councillors have approved plans for 67 new homes and the expansion of aerospace company Sylatech in Kirkbymoorside, despite significant opposition from local residents over infrastructure and traffic concerns.
Plans for 67 new homes and the expansion of one of Kirkbymoorside’s biggest employers have been backed by councillors despite dozens of objections from local residents.
North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area committee this week voted in favour of the scheme on land east of West Lund Lane.
The application will allow aerospace engineering company Sylatech to expand while also paving the way for a new housing development by Mulgrave Developments.
The scheme includes a new commercial building for Sylatech, 67 homes — including 14 affordable properties — future employment land, and highway improvements including widening part of West Lund Lane and infilling the former railway bridge.
The application received 54 objections and 14 letters of support.
Objector Nigel Croad told the meeting that residents were concerned about the location of the development.
He said:
“The local plan allocated 6.7 acres for existing employment use. The proposed housing takes 2.2 acres of that employment land.
“If used for housing, it is lost for future employment use. The housing also takes four and a half acres of agricultural land not zoned for development, which is outside the development boundary.”
The objector also argued that the development would place additional pressure on already stretched local services, highlighting an NHS dental waiting list of 1,000 people and limited public transport.
He said the town’s infrequent bus services begin around 9am and finish before 7pm, meaning many new residents would have little choice but to rely on cars.
During the consultation, residents raised concerns over increased traffic, highway safety, noise, pollution, the loss of open countryside, pressure on local infrastructure and the visual impact of expanding industry alongside new housing.
Kirkbymoorside Town Council also voiced concerns over the integration of industrial and residential development, although it acknowledged the importance of retaining Sylatech in the town.
Councillor Greg White, who represents Kirkbymoorside on the council, said:
“There is the belief that there’ll be significant congestion on the site and an impact on road safety.
“And whilst I know that our officers have looked at it and don’t seem to think there is going to be (a problem), I have to say that as somebody who walks that area on a regular basis, I think they’re mistaken.”
But Councillor Nigel Knapton said the county was facing ” ridiculous” demands from central government for new housing, which meant he was reluctantly supporting the application.
“Ryedale is in an unfortunate position of only having a 0.8-year land supply (for housing) and that really does tie our hands.
“It sets the bar much higher to resist this sort of application, and I cannot see that bar being reached, unfortunately, in this case.”
Councillor Caroline Goodrick said she appreciated local residents may not be happy with the decision, but she also backed the application.
She added:
“I think if we didn’t approve this, if it went to appeal, the authority would be seen as unreasonably withholding that appeal, which would further add to both costs that might be awarded.”
The meeting was told that there was a lower percentage of affordable homes than was usually required because an independent assessment found the scheme could not deliver the full level due to the costs of the infrastructure needed to support Sylatech’s expansion.
Officers said the affordable housing provision was increased following negotiations and remained acceptable to the council’s housing team.
Councillors voted to be minded to approve the application subject to minor amendments to be made by officers.
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