Homes approved despite protests (From The Advertiser Series)

Homes approved despite protests

12:21pm Tuesday 9th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

MORE than 30 affordable homes are to be built on the edge of Catterick Village, despite strong local opposition to the plans.

The houses will be built on the site of a former quarry behind properties in Bishops Way.

The plans were approved by Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee last week.

The scheme involves 31 homes, with 26 of them to be available for rent and five eligible for shared ownership.

People living near the proposed site had objected, claiming that poor access to the new housing would put children at risk and cause traffic chaos. They also raised concerns that building affordable social housing so close would lower the value of their homes and raise the risks of anti-social behaviour.

Councillors at the meeting agreed that the need for social housing in Catterick was urgent and were reassured that the housing would first be offered to residents already living in the village, before being offered to neighbouring parishes and then in other parts of Richmondshire.

Coun Rob Johnson, ward member for Catterick, spoke on behalf of the residents, before leaving the meeting after declaring a personal interest.

He said: “I agree wholeheartedly with the concept of the need for social housing in Catterick, but its development should only take place in the middle of estates that already exist.

“There is a risk here that what we would be creating is what in the past would have been called a council estate. The people of Catterick appreciate the need for this, but such a large number of houses on such a small site should be questioned.”

Affordable housing developments are not usually built all on the same site, but the urgent need for the housing in the area provided a reason for this rule to be overturned.

Councillors added regulations governing the sale of the homes to former military personnel.

• Print
• Email
• Share