A PUBLIC inquiry into plans to build 226 properties on a greenfield site wrapped up today (Tuesday), after six days of evidence from residents, experts and legal representatives.

The proposed housing development off Tanton Road in Stokesley had been rejected by Hambleton District Council last year, prompting Gladman Developments to launch an appeal.

The public inquiry opened early last week in Northallerton and on Thursday moved to Stokesley Town Hall where residents and local councillors were given the opportunity to speak. The packed meeting was attended by just around100 people, with some residents having to be turned away when the room reached capacity.

Stuart Brennan, speaking on behalf of the campaign group Keep Stokesley Special, told the hearing that less than two miles from the area in question, 3,000 homes were being built in Middlesbrough right up to the Stokesley boundary. He questioned how that would all impact on the local infrastructure.

Today (Tuesday, June 9) planning inspector David Rose finished hearing evidence at the public inquiry held at the Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton, when representatives from Hambleton District Council and Gladman Developments read out their closing submissions.

The council's representatives detailed how the housing scheme would cause environmental harm by building on open countryside and agricultural land and laid outside the development boundary.

The statement prepared by barrister Jonathan Easton, said developments in this area had to be small scale, incremental and gradual, stating: “It stretches the boundaries of incredulity that a scheme for 226 houses is a small-scale expansion of Stokesley.”

About 50 per cent of the properties would be affordable homes.

Barrister John Barrett, advocate for Gladman, said Hambleton district had only met 32 per cent of its overall target for affordable housing. He said: “In the Stokesley area it’s a pitiful eight dwellings per annum over the same period and there’s only been six affordable completions in the last three years.

“What lies behind the arid statistics are a true human cost. The ability to form households, provide a balanced and mixed community is all undermined by the absence of affordable housing.

“The above need was identified in 2011 and the cumulative failure to deliver year-on-year affordable housing represents a matter of considerable importance in the determination of an appeal that actually is capable of delivering a significant contribution of Affordable Homes.”