HUNDREDS of residents are furious after a planning committee approved controversial plans to allow nine homes to be built on land near a road which locals say is dangerous and unsuitable for increased traffic.

The plans for nine homes on land north west of Manor House, Low Green, in Catterick Village, with access from High Green in the village, have been blasted by more than 100 residents who objected to the proposals.

Around 100 people turned out to the Richmondshire District Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday, December 6 – which had to be relocated to Richmond School hall from Mercury House council offices because of the volume of protestors.

Despite concerns about the safety of the junction into the site, councillors moved to approve the application after taking advice from Highways officials who believed it could be made safe.

High Green resident Thomas Stewart said: “The traffic is already very restricted due to parked cars on the road, and the road is not wide enough to take two-way traffic.

“At the moment this narrow road leads to a 90 degree bend at Chapman’s Court and my house is right on this bend. Intensification of use of this dangerous junction will increase the risk of injury or death to pedestrians or horse riders.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor Carl Les also attended the meeting. He said: “I’m disappointed for the residents who campaigned against the proposed development. I share their concerns about road access, not only on the right angle bend where mitigation works are proposed, but especially along High Green, a road that was introduced when horses and carts were the usual form of transport. There is no footway there, and no possibility to introduce one, so vehicles and pedestrians will have to mix.”

However, seven committee members voted in favour of the application, with four against.