Fears ‘unbearable’ housing plan will cause ‘massive congestion’ near North Yorkshire village

Developers want to build 95 new homes on the edge of a North Yorkshire village – but the plans have drawn widespread opposition from local residents. 

Gladman Developments has submitted proposals for land off Barff Lane, immediately to the west of Brayton near Selby, and near the Brayton Barff ancient woodland.  

The company wants to build a mixture of house types and sizes, as well as a new orchard and children’s play area, and says the development would house an estimated 266 people.  

The planning application is currently at the consultation stage. So far, 132 local people have written to object to the plans, with only three writing in support.  

Brayton Parish Council had posted on facebook last month, encouraging local people who objected to speak out. The council wrote:  

Regarding the recent Planning Application for 95 homes on Barff Lane – Brayton Parish Council have objected to this application, but the more objections Selby Council (who decide on this) receive from residents will help sway their decision. So if you are against this – please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.

In the parish council’s own objection to the application, it wrote: “Brayton Parish Council wish to object strongly against this proposal.

“We foresee many highways issues at this location and massive congestion on an already busy minor road.

“We believe these buildings would be out of character with the area and a there is lack of infrastructure (doctors / schools / public transport etc) already in Brayton. Excessive traffic too near the ancient woodland of Brayton Barff is a concern.” 

‘Grave concerns’

This is a selection of comments made in local objections: 

• “The Selby area has almost zero areas like the Brayton Barff and surrounding space. There’s almost no accessible woodland or natural areas easily accessible from Selby and Brayton. Building closer and closer to this area is going to be detrimental to the flora and fauna on Barff Lane, the surrounding farmland and the ancient woodland of Brayton Barff. The council should be protecting the few valuable natural areas we have left.” 

• “I have grave concerns about the effect the additional housing will have on the volume of traffic on Barff Lane. This road is already used to a high level and traffic increases hugely in the Spring and Summer months as visitors use the Barff. And this doesn’t take into account the increase in construction traffic which is already high given the existing development work in and around the area.”

• “Brayton is a small village with limited facilities and there are already extra houses being built on Mill Lane and a development down in Thorpe Willoughby. These could mean at least an extra 1,000 people in the area, yet no planned improvement to doctors surgeries or public transport for example.” 

• “You are allowing this side of Brayton to become unbearable for the existing and new occupiers, people are now struggling particularly at peak periods to get to and from home. Barff Lane will be a nightmare when the above and the Persimmon houses at the back of Moat Way are built.”

• “I would like to object to this planning as we really do not have the infrastructure to support this. It is difficult enough to get doctors, dentist etc appointments without adding another 95 families.” 

One of the three supporters wrote: “I am in favour of the planning for the 95 homes. I like many are in need of homes this side of Selby.” They said they objected to the parish council objecting to the plans and then using Facebook to influence locals to also object. 

Martin Hammond, North Yorkshire County Council ecologist, said the distance between the Barff and the planning site meant they were confident that “direct impacts” could be avoided if normal good practice was followed.

But he said there was a risk of indirect effects linked to increased footfall at the Barff, such as dog fouling, disturbance of wildlife and soil compaction or erosion. He recommended Gladman work with landowners and the volunteer Friends of Brayton Barff group, to discuss mitigation measures.  

Gladman says its vision for the site is to create a “sensitively designed and high-quality place” and say it is a “logical, carefully considered extension to Brayton, which will respect the transition between the existing built edge and the adjacent countryside” and which provides “appropriate housing growth”. 

The planning application documents can all be seen on Selby District Council’s planning website. The application reference is 2022/1410/OUTM.

It is an outline application, meaning it covers the broad principle of the development. The finer details such as house design and layout would be considered separately in a later application, if this one is approved.