Bellway Strategic Land, working with Bellway's Yorkshire division, has brought forward the detailed application for a 20-acre plot on the north-western edge of the village. The scheme, which will be accessed from Crabgate Lane, features a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes, including 40 affordable properties such as two-bedroom bungalows and maisonettes.

Plans include a central area of public open space to the south of the site with play equipment and seating, alongside the planting of more than 200 new trees to enhance landscaping and biodiversity.

Councillors considered the full application on Tuesday 10 February and voted to grant permission, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to fund local improvements. The developer says the homes will include accessible and adaptable properties and energy-efficiency measures, with electric vehicle charging points for each dwelling.

Mark Jones, Head of Planning for Bellway's Yorkshire division, said: "This 20-acre site is part of a larger housing allocation that will help the local authority to meet the need for new private and affordable homes in the area.

-- Advertisement --

"We have worked closely with local planning officers to ensure that our proposals reflect local requirements, in particular the delivery of two-bedroom bungalows to address the demand for this specific type of housing.

"A total of 130 houses have been designed to the M4(2) standard to be more accessible and adaptable to suit people through their lifetimes, while the eight bungalows and two ground-floor maisonettes will meet the M4(3) standard for wheelchair users.

"These will be energy-efficient homes designed to greatly reduce CO2 emissions, with each home also benefitting from an electric vehicle charging point.

"Our landscape approach includes large grassed areas and trees set around a new attenuation basin which will create an attractive entrance to the development, while the areas of public open space will feature more than 200 trees, wildflower meadow and wetland planting to promote biodiversity.

"There will also be a large play area in the centre of the site, with a range of natural wooden play equipment, providing outdoor space for children and families to enjoy.

"Our proposed scheme will be delivered in line with our 'Better with Bellway' commitment to building homes that make a positive impact on society as a whole, our local communities and the planet.

"We are now looking forward to finalising the Section 106 agreement to enable planning permission to be issued."

Under the Section 106 arrangements, Bellway expects to contribute towards local services and infrastructure, including £50,000 for environmental initiatives along the River Skell and £63,461 to upgrade two bus stops on Crabgate Lane and support local bus services. Works are also planned to improve the A1/B1220 junction.

At the same meeting, the committee also backed in principle outline proposals for up to 160 homes on the southern part of the wider allocation. Bellway Strategic Land said it has coordinated with the neighbouring applicant to ensure roads, drainage and open spaces are designed to work together across both sites.