North Yorkshire to refuse 200-home Malton development
At its planning meeting this week, a scheme being brought forward by Commercial Development Projects and Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation is being opposed ahead of a planning appeal triggered by non-determination of the application.
The scheme, designed by Watson Batty Architects and supported by Freeths, seeks outline permission for the dwellings on land off Rainbow Lane, Peasey Hills, on agricultural land between Malton and Old Malton.
The proposal also includes open space, landscaping, habitat enhancements, and drainage infrastructure.
The application will now be subject to a planning appeal after the council failed to determine the application within the required timeframe, with councillors advised to object to the development at the hearing.
CDP and Fitzwilliam Trust lodged plans last July.
Planning officers noted that the proposed site sits outside the official development limits defined in the Ryedale Local Plan and falls within a Visually Important Undeveloped Area of green space that visually separates Malton from Old Malton and contributes to the area’s character.
The council acknowledged that a lack of a five-year housing land supply weakens its ability to resist some housing schemes under national planning policy, however it believes the harm in this case would outweigh any benefits.
Beyond the loss of green space, several technical issues remain unresolved including concerns related to highways, ecology, noise, and the loss of agricultural land.
The outcome of the appeal will now rest with the Planning Inspectorate, which will weigh the merits of the application against local and national planning policies, the area’s housing needs, and environmental and heritage impacts.
