PROPOSALS to build 187 new homes off the Skipton bypass are expected to be given the green light next week - several years after the site was first earmarked for housing.

Councillors at Monday's Planning Committee meeting of Craven District Council will be reminded the principle of the development has already been established, leaving only the look and layout of the new homes, and landscaping, left to thrash out.

The joint application by Henry Boot Developments and Bellway Homes is part of the larger Wyvern Park, business and residential scheme, and follows the granting of outline planning permission in March last year.

If approved, just 20 per cent of the homes, which will be a mixture of both traditional and modern designed terrace, semi-detached and detached in a series of cul-de-sacs, will be classed 'affordable', after the developer managed to reduce the amount by half last year.

The 42 acre site, off the A629 bypass and and next to Waltonwrays Cemetery, stretching to Engine Shed Lane and Sandylands sports centre, was formerly grazing land, and is currently being cleared to make way for its redevelopment.

Access will be off Carlton Road and there will be a new pedestrian walkway into the town, just less than a mile away.

In its comments to the planning authority, Skipton Town Council raises several concerns, including what its members believe is an 'insufficient allocation of affordable housing'.

The town council also raises concerns about the impact on doctors surgeries and schools, and the lack of public transport proposed.

Councillors on Monday will be told that the proposals are considered to 'be acceptable' and would provide a 'high quality development in line with the outline permission'.

It will also be pointed out to them that the Government has told planning authorities such as Craven that development proposals in accord with up to date local plans should be approved 'without delay'.

Henry Boot has owned the site since early 2013 and originally planned to build houses, a hotel, restaurant and Sainsbury's superstore, but had its scheme rejected, largely because of the impact of the store on the town centre.

Outline planning also includes 250,000 sq ft of industrial and commercial space, for which a detailed planning application is yet to be submitted.