A GOVERNMENT inspectorate has dismissed an appeal over a council’s rejection of plans for dozens of homes at Great Broughton.

Hambleton District Council refused to grant outline planning permission for up to 75 homes to be built on grazing land at the edge of the village.

The matter was referred to the Planning Inspectorate who has upheld the council’s decision.

The land falls outside of the defined development limits for Great Broughton and planning inspector Daniel Hartley reported that the homes would represent a “very significant incursion into the countryside setting”.

He added: “Whilst layout details are reserved for a subsequent application, it is clear that it is the appellant’s intention to erect a very significant number of dwellings on the site.

“On any reasonable basis, it could not be argued that the proposal would be small scale and the development of the site for housing would clearly exceed the up to five dwellings guidance.”

Mr Hartley concluded that the harm caused to the environment outweighed the benefits of the scheme.