Plans for 140 homes in Copmanthorpe have been approved but a contribution worth more than £320,000 to a nearby nature reserve has been questioned.
Miller Homes’ plans will see 133 homes built along with seven self-build plots on an almost 19-acre site south of Tadcaster Road, north east of the village.
The applicant’s agent Vicki Sykes told councillors the development would feature 42 affordable homes, four bungalows, walking and cycling links and open space and play areas.
But Copmanthorpe’s Cllr Chris Steward said some of the more than £320,000 requested from the developer for Askham Bog should instead be spent on improving walking links to the village.
It comes as City of York Council planning committee unanimously approved the detailed reserve matters application for the homes on Thursday (5 December.
That decision followed the approval of an initial outline application for 158 homes in April 2023.
Plans approved by councillors on Thursday are set to see eight one-bedroom homes, 41 two-bedroom, 51 three-bedroom and 33 with four bedrooms or more built.
Almost two thirds, 65 per cent, will be sold at market rates while 30 per cent will be rented out by a housing association at reduced social rents.
The remaining five per cent made up of the seven self-build plots.
30 objections
Council planning officers recommended approving the application ahead of Thursday’s meeting.
Councillors also agreed to ask the developer for £40,000 for new bus stops on Tadcaster Road.
The applicant’s agent Ms Sykes told the committee they had worked closely with others to design the high-quality scheme.
She said: “This offers a range of accommodation which is in line with local housing needs, including affordable homes and ones which look to address the needs of older people.”
But 30 objections were claiming it would see green space lost, lead to more dog fouling, fuel existing congestion and put local services under strain.
Conservative Cllr Steward said too much had been requested for the Askham Bog, a site of special scientific interest on the other side of the A64 to the development.
He added £100,000 less should go to the nature reserve and should be spent on improving Yorkfield Lane, which links Copmanthorpe to the development.
The developers agreed to give the money to Askham Bog ahead of an expected rise in visitor numbers once people move into the homes.
Two lots of £66,000 have been pledged for improvements to Yorkfield Lane under the developer’s Section 106 Agreement with the council.
Cllr Steward said: “This is an enormously significant right of way, money proposed will not be enough and will mean far more people driving, a bit more money would have been pivotal for the homes and the village.”
The £320,000 for Askham Bog, which was agreed when intial outline plans were approved in 2022, was not up for discussion at Thursday’s meeting.
The developer also agreed to fund the expansion of Copmanthorpe’s GP surgery when initial outline plans for the development were approved in 2021.