Middleham housing plans approved despite pollution concerns

A new housing estate given approval in the historic horse racing town could increase sewage spills into the nearby river, it has been claimed.

North Yorkshire Council planners have approved plans for up to 55 new houses in Middleham.
A mixture of two, three, four and five bedroom semi-detached and detached houses, with a combination of single-storey and two-storey properties, were included in the scheme.

Previous applications for the site were approved by Richmondshire district councillors in 2019 and then again in 2021, but the plans were resubmitted as the earlier applications had lapsed following issues with access to the site.
While Middleham Town Council supported the plans, the authority was disappointed in a reduction in affordable housing from 40 per cent to 31 per cent from the previously approved plans.

The council said in a statement read out at the meeting: “We understand the greatly increased cost of construction materials, and trades and labour, that currently exist, but the development could go further in helping multi-generational local families to stay close to their supporting older and younger relations.”

The meeting heard however that while the number of affordable homes was reduced, there would be more affordable properties for rent, which it was claimed would better help local families.

The meeting at County Hall in Northallerton also heard from local resident Graham Scotchburn-Snell who spoke against the scheme.
He said Yorkshire Water’s website revealed that the sewage treatment serving the town had released untreated sewage into the River Ure.
“The development of 55 dwellings will significantly increase the load on the treatment plant that is clearly unable to cope with the current load, thereby increasing the frequency and volume of the overflow discharge into the river and increasing pollution levels,” he added
Concerns were also expressed about the likelihood of the development increasing flooding.

But councillors were told the scheme included enough capacity to deal with surface water from a significant storm, with further capacity built in to take account of climate change.
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans.