NEW housing estates are almost always controversial.

There is often disquiet from those living near the proposed sites, even though many agree new homes are needed. Not surprisingly, residents are concerned about issues that will affect their lives.

One community suffering more than most is Embsay-with-Eastby, where the population is poised to rise significantly.

Even though Craven District Council’s Draft Local Plan – published last year – called for the building of 45 houses in the parish during the next 15 years, that total has already been met with current permissions.

And further homes are now planned, so it is no wonder parish councillors and residents are concerned.subscribed primary school.

Then, last month, the go-ahead was given for an additional 12 homes on the site, again against the wishes of the parish council.

In July 2014, despite strong opposition from the parish council, 229 residents and the village sports community, Craven’s planning committee approved outline plans for 34 homes on land next to the cricket club in Shires Lane.

Opponents were concerned about increased traffic, the impact on the cricket club and an already over- Now, less than a month later, the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement – which runs the Duke of Devonshire’s Bolton Abbey Estate – have revealed plans for 39 houses on the opposite side of the cricket field, again fronting onto Shires Lane.

If approved, that would be mean 85 new homes being built within the next five years.

The village’s current population is just over 1,800 and the new houses could push that figure up by at least another ten per cent, putting severe pressure on current facilities. Surely this ever-encroaching development needs to be addressed as a whole, rather than through piecemeal applications?