A LARGE housing development has been given the go ahead in Settle despite concerns the town’s infrastructure cannot support it.

Phase two of a three-phase development at Ingfield Lane was approved by Craven District Council’s planning committee.

The hybrid application covered details plans for 65 homes with public open space and landscaping and outline plans for phase three, which would be of a similar size and nature.

The application was originally submitted as a resubmission of a similar scheme refused by the planning committee on February 3 last year which was the subject of a now withdrawn appeal.

The site lies outside development limits in an area defined as open countryside in the adopted Local Plan but the council notes it adjoins the settlement boundary.

The plans include a “green corridor” protecting views from the grade two listed Falcon Manor.

Seventeen letters of representation had been submitted following the revised submission.

The concerns included loss of historic vista, the development would adversely affect views from the Settle-Carlisle railway line; tourism would be affected and the area is prone to flooding.

Other concerns included loss of privacy for occupiers of existing housing adjacent to the site; increased traffic, noise and congestion; highways safety issues near a play area and local services would not be able to cope with the increased population.

Settle Town Council made a strong objection stating the revised plans did not appear to be very different from the previous ones refused.

They also noted that access on to the B6480 at the railway bridge was very dangerous and standing water under the bridge would make it more so.

Speaking at the meeting, the town council’s deputy chairman Councillor David Taylor said the infrastructure of services in Settle was already suffering and that the doctors’ surgery could not take on any more people.

He added tourism would suffer if the plans were agreed and also stated the plans did not address the housing needs of the area.

“They are the wrong sort of houses. We need to build to right houses so we can keep our young people in Settle.”

Another Settle resident described the plans as the “desecration of the open landscape”.

Councillor Carl Lis said he was concerned there was a suggestions the primary school was oversubscribed. However planning officers said communication with the Local Education Authority suggested they were happy with the additional homes in phase two.

Members were told the applicant must enter into a 106 planning agreement to provide 30 per cent affordable housing for both phases subject to viability.

The 106 agreement also covers the submission and approval of surface water drainage proposals for phase two on the flood meadow and its management and maintenance.

No development of phase three can commence until approval of the details of the layout, scale, appearance of the buildings and landscaping treatments have been obtained.