A public consultation has been held over plans to build a housing development on greenfield land in Sutton-in-Craven.

Developers Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes hosted the consultation at Sutton Village Hall to gauge villagers’ reactions to a proposal to develop a site west of Holme Lane, known locally as Thompson’s Field.

Although the proposals are still in the early stages, the developers could be looking to build up to 56 houses, a car parking area, landscaped riverside walk and structural planting as part of an outline plan.

A David Wilson Homes representative said: “David Wilson Homes is working with Craven District Council to address an urgent need for additional new housing in the locality.

“We are currently consulting with both the council and local residents to develop plans which meet the needs of buyers in the area.

“All ideas are very draft at this stage and we are taking on board all comments before submitting any further plans."

Coun Ken Hart, who represents Sutton as a ward and parish councillor, said that most people attending the consultation and the parish council meeting afterwards were against the proposal, raising concerns about access and flooding.

He said there had been problems with flooding at the bottom end of the field, and access was a concern because the entrance to the site would be opposite Bridge Road.

“It would be on a blind corner, so they would have to put in a roundabout,” said Coun Hart.

There has also been some concern about the stability of the site as the field was previously used by the (Bairstow and Hartley) mills as a tip for the ashes from their boilers.

However, a survey to test the site’s ground stability was carried out and the developers found it to be suitable for housing.

But a number of residents are firmly against the proposal.

“It’s one of the only green spaces left in the village,” said Bob Young, who lives at Hazel Grove Road.

“A tremendous amount of people are against this because of flooding in the area and the impact it would have on the sewerage. The pipeline down the valley at Steeton is leaking as it is.”

Coun Neil Whitaker, chairman of Sutton Parish Council, said: “My main concern is that we already have two housing estates (Woodturners and Greenroyd Mill), which still have plenty of houses for sale.”