Five affordable homes look set to be built after garages are demolished in a York village.
City of York Council officers are recommending the plan is approved at Hawthorn Terrace South in New Earswick.
But many residents have objected, as it comes on top of several other housing schemes – with one saying the beauty of the village is being ‘destroyed’.
Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust is proposing the project.
The development would mean 18 garages being demolished and 21 trees being felled to make way for the new terrace of houses.
All the new two-bedroom homes would be affordable – social, affordable or intermediate rent.
However, New Earswick Parish Council has lodged one of 21 objections to the development.
It says, alongside other plans, “this will mean 247 additional residential units in a small suburb of York being developed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust”.
And the garages are required, the council says: “Parking in New Earswick is already difficult for many residents and visitors.”
Residents echoed these concerns. One wrote: “The area of Ivy Place is a historic site and visited by many people to show what Joseph Rowntree had in mind when he build the garden village.
“The beauty of our whole village is being destroyed bit by bit by JRHT.
“I have lived in this village for 12 years and I have witnessed the destruction JRHT done to the environment by felling healthy trees and building the monstrosity of a nursing and residential home.”
Another resident wrote: “It will undermine the vision and historical precedent set by the community founders Joseph Rowntree. It will set a precedent for squeezing more housing into this unique and beautiful community.”
And a third said wrote: “You intend to knock garages down that are needed, fell mature trees that house wildlife and rare birds and disturb the green area.
“It will affect squirrel families, bats, hedgehogs, the resident owl, foxes, woodpeckers to name but a few.”
They said 200 people signed a petition against the development, along with the 20 who have written to object.
In a report going to a councillors, officers are recommended the plans for approval.
The say that “less than substantial harm has been identified to New Earswick Conservation Area” and it would provide 100% affordable housing.
The development will be discussed at a planning committee on Wednesday, 26 February.