THE developer behind a major new housing estate for Skipton says it plans to start work next summer.

Persimmon Homes says it is pleased to have the go-ahead to build 98 homes, including 20 affordable, off Aldersley Avenue after a planning inspector last week over-ruled Craven District Council, which has twice refused its plans.

Craven councillors, acting against officer advice, last turned down the scheme in October, last year, on a single issue, because of overlooking of four homes in Moorview Way.

Persimmon, which following the council's first refusal, also because of overlooking, said it had addressed concerns, appealed against the decision to the Government's Planning Inspectorate, which has now agreed with the house builder and said the development can take place.

In the decision notice, published on the Inspectorate website last week, the inspector, who visited the site in July, said the area, currently grazing land, is identified in the Craven Local Plan - which at that point had yet to be adopted - as suitable for residential development and is 'sustainably located, with good access to the facilities and services that Skipton has to offer'.

"The proposal would provide a significant boost to the council's housing requirements and would generate a substantial economic benefit through the development of the site and through the expenditure of future occupants in the local area.

"Additionally, there would be ecological benefits through additional planting including the provision of native woodland buffer. The parties have agreed suitable developer contributions towards affordable housing and public open space," said the inspector.

The inspector says they note concerns by Skipton Town Council questioning the need for a development of such a size, but points out that Craven District Council in its local plan has included the site as part of its strategy to meet its housing needs.

The council had also raised no objection to the development in terms of highways, flood risk or noise, continues the inspector.

Addressing the issue of overlooking of Moorview Way, the inspector says even though the new properties will be higher up than the existing bungalows, because of their design and layout and landscaping, there will be no impact on outlook, privacy and light.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said: “We are pleased to have received planning permission for our Skipton site.

“The development, off Aldersley Avenue, will bring 98 new homes to the area. We are working towards starting construction in late summer 2020.”