A HOUSING estate of 53 homes looks set to be built on the outskirts of Skipton.

The Craven District Council joint application seeks to build on six acres of land currently used for grazing animals off Airedale Avenue and near to the newly built Elsey Croft housing estate.

A report to next week's planning committee meeting of Craven District Council ends with the recommendation that the scheme be approved, subject to legal agreements over the provision of affordable homes and contributions to public open space.

Although the site is outside the development limits of the town, it is earmarked for housing in the 'emerging' Craven Local Plan, which has yet to be formally adopted by the council as its planning and development blueprint.

Skipton Town Council says it has concerns about the proposals because of 'increased traffic' and its impact on road management and pedestrian safety. It has also raised concerns about contractors using the Greatwood estate during the construction phase.

Some 11 letters of objection have also been received by the planning authority with concerns including increased traffic, inadequate access and strain on the existing infrastructure.

The full application includes 16 - or 30 per cent - one, two and three bedroom affordable homes, both for rent and for shared ownership.

In November, 2017, the council's evidence base identified a need for 126 affordable homes to be provided in the district every year. In addition, the council has a register of about 150 first time buyers who can neither buy or rent on the open market and who are wanting to buy a shared ownership property.

The application has been submitted by Craven Barnfield Regeneration Ltd, a joint venture partnership[ between the council and Barnfield Investment Properties.

The same partnership is behind expected plans to build around 80 homes at Horse Close in Skipton and recently consulted on plans for a new bridge to access the site over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal .

Late last year, the council accepted a Homes England: Accelerated Construction Grant of £2.3 million aimed at helping local authorities, like Craven, build its own homes.

Next week's planning committee is also being recommended to approve a further application by the council to build five new homes next to North Parade in Skipton.

Planned are two three bedroom homes and three two bed homes with seven off street parking spaces for residents and one more for communal use.

Skipton Town Council has raised no objections to the scheme, and just one letter of objection has been received by planners.