Plans for 52 new homes in a North Yorkshire village have been recommended for approval despite warnings that the local GP surgery cannot cope with additional patients.
The proposed development in Sherburn, near Malton, has prompted concerns about increasing pressure on healthcare, schools, shops and transport services, with residents questioning whether the village has the infrastructure to accommodate further housing.
The Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has warned that Sherburn and Rillington Practice, less than half a mile from the proposed development, does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional population.
It estimates that the new homes would generate around 125 residents, creating further demand for primary care services.
In its response to the application, the ICB said the practice “does not have capacity to accommodate the additional growth resulting from the proposed development”.
It also identified a shortage of healthcare floorspace and called for a developer contribution of £61,368 to fund improvements to existing premises or additional facilities.
The ICB said it would not object to the development provided the requested contribution was secured.
The outline application, submitted by Cromsdale Estates and William Edward Cundall, proposes up to 52 homes on approximately 3.2 hectares of land adjacent to The Pastures, south of the A64.
Sherburn Parish Council has also raised concerns about the impact of additional housing on local medical facilities, the village school and shops.
It highlighted a lack of facilities for children and teenagers, including playing fields, as well as concerns about public transport.
The parish council said bus services were already full and pointed out that the village has no railway station.
Residents have raised similar objections, arguing that additional doctors, dentists and school places are already needed.
Of 53 representations received by the council, 40 objected to the scheme and 13 supported it.
A petition opposing the development has also been submitted.
Other concerns include increased traffic on the A64, highway safety, drainage and flooding, the loss of agricultural land and the impact on neighbouring properties.
However, North Yorkshire Council’s education authority has concluded that the development would not require additional school funding after assessing existing capacity and the number of pupils likely to be generated.
The council’s highways officers have also raised no objection, subject to conditions and improvements to the access arrangements.
The scheme would include 35 per cent affordable housing, equivalent to 18 homes if the maximum 52 properties are built, along with public open space and a children’s play area.
Planning officers acknowledge that the development lies outside Sherburn’s existing development boundary, where new housing would not normally be supported.
However, the council can demonstrate only 1.39 years of housing land supply in the former Ryedale area, significantly below the five years required under national planning policy.
Officers say the benefits of providing additional housing, including affordable homes, outweigh the identified harm.
They have recommended that outline permission be granted, subject to planning conditions and a legal agreement securing developer contributions.
The application was deferred in August following the publication of new national planning policies.
It will now be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area planning committee on Thursday, October 22.
By: Joe Willis, LDRS
