Plans for new homes Ulleskelf near Selby to be approved

North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty area planning committee will consider the outline application for land at Highfield House on Church Fenton Lane, Ulleskelf, next week.

The plans propose the demolition of an existing property and its replacement with seven detached houses.

Planning officers acknowledge that most of the site falls within open countryside, where residential development would not normally be allowed.

Ulleskelf Parish Council raised this as a concern in its response and said this could set a precedent for future, larger-scale applications on adjacent land.

The council received 19 letters of objection from local residents, as well as one in support.

As well as much of the the site being outside the development limits for the village, concerns were raised about highway safety and increased congestion, no affordable homes being proposed and not enough local services to cope with extra residents.

However, the officer’s report concluded that the council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land qualified as exceptional circumstances.

The report states that while the proposal conflicted with local policy in principle, the site was closely related to the existing settlement and would represent a logical extension to the village.

Officers also noted that Ulleskelf was classed as a designated service village, with access to a range of facilities including a primary school, village hall, post office, pub and public transport links to York, Leeds and surrounding towns.

Officers conclude that the development would make an effective use of land, contribute to housing supply, and deliver economic and social benefits, including support for local services.

Officers recommended that the plans be passed when councillors meet on Monday next week (February 16).