A MAJOR new housing development is to name its main thoroughfare after a Northallerton war hero.

Alterations to the 241-dwelling estate at the former York Trailers site in Yafforth Road in the town were today (Thursday, Dec 5) approved by Hambleton District Council planning committee, and the agent for the developer confirmed that Lance Corporal Ben Hyde’s name will be used.

Paul Butler, agent for David Wilson Homes Yorkshire East Division, said: “Local war hero Ben Hyde will be remembered in the name for main road through the estate.”

Following a change in developer from Yuill Homes and Taylor Wimpey to David Wilson Homes, permission has now been granted to revise the layout and increase the number of large, detached houses, with more garden and parking space.

Councillors still had concerns about foot crossings next to the East Coast Mainline – but in agreeing to the development have made it compulsory for an independent body to undertake a risk assessment of the area.

They were also disappointed that the provision for affordable housing had dropped from 18.7 per cent to 15 per cent due to a reduce number of units from originally proposes, making the provision less viable.

L Cpl Hyde, 23, was among six Royal Military Policemen who were guarding a police station in the town of Majar al-Kabir, Maysan, in southern Iraq, when they were attacked and killed by a mob of 300 Iraqis in 2003.