PLANS for a new housing development on the outskirts of Richmond have been given the green light despite concerns from nearby residents that it will create a blot on the landscape.

Proposals for a 19 home development on a brownfield site between Gower Road and Whashton Road, near the town’s golf club and historic racecourse, was approved by Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee.

The plans caused controversy among nearby residents and users of the racecourse, who left the height of many of the proposed properties would spoil views across to the Cleveland Hills.

Gower Road resident Gary Catt told the meeting the homes would create a “blot on Richmond’s skyline forever,” and had concerns over school places and increased traffic.

Another resident, Diane Baines, said: “This development would seriously harm the setting of the Richmond Racecourse Conservation Area

“All those who use the racecourse value its openness. It is not overlooked or hemmed in, and there are open views in all directions.”

She also said the council had a duty to protect listed structures on the racecourse, including the Georgian grandstand.

But architect Christopher Davis, on behalf of applicant Keyland Developments and Rouse Homes Ltd, said the application site and its surroundings have no special landscape designation, and considers the views from the conservation area to be 200m away from the development.

Claire Kent from planning consultancy Barton Willmore, said significant changes have been made to the scheme to overcome residents’ and officers’ concerns, and the number of houses reduced from 24 to 19.

She said: “The development would not harm heritage assets, is sensitively designed and would result in numerous benefits for Richmondshire, including the provision of 40 per cent affordable housing which is desperately needed; contribution towards play space; the redevelopment of a brownfield site; and assist to the restoration of the grandstand in the racecourse.”

Ward Councillor Clive World said: “Nobody has said there shouldn’t be building on that site. If there were bungalows throughout there would be no problem – but these are large, high houses, overlooking residents at Gower Road.”

But Cllr Tony Duff believed the site was ripe for development.

He said: “This is a brownfield site with an old reservoir bunker in the middle. The grandstand in the racecourse is a mile away – I can’t see how it will harm the race course or grandstand.”

A majority of councillors agreed to support the proposal.