Plans for up to 700 homes in Haxby have been approved despite hundreds of objections including over fears it could result in a local cemetery running out of space.
City of York Council’s planning committee approved Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ application for the homes, in land to the south of Moor Lane, on Thursday (19 June).
Stuart Natkus, the applicant’s agent, told councillors there was broad support for developing the site which would bring much-needed homes, including affordable ones, to York.
But 339 objections were lodged and Strensall ward’s Cllr Terry Fisher told councillors the failure to expand Haxby and Wigginton Cemetery would leave locals without anywhere to bury their dead.
Initial, outline plans approved on Thursday are set to see the homes built along with self-build plots, open space including informal sports fields, gypsey and traveller pitches and a nursery.
The proportion of homes earmarked as affordable is 30 per cent, with 80 per cent of those rented out at social rates and the remaining 20 per cent sold at a discount.
Vehicles are set to access the site from two new junctions from Moor Lane and a further two from Usher Lane, with an extra three routes for pedestrians from each.
Further details including the size of homes on the roughly 32ha site are set to be decided in a further reserve matters application.
Council planning officers recommended approving the plans ahead of Thurday’s meeting.
But objections, which also came from Haxby and Wigginton’s parish councils, claimed locals were firmly against the plans.
Objections included opposition to developing green belt land and concerns over capacity in existing sewer systems which councillors heard often overflowed into the River Foss following heavy rain.
They also claimed existing health facilities, schools and roads were already strained and would not be able to cope with extra demend from new residents.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Fisher said an 2.4ha expansion to the neigbouring cemetary previously included in the plans before being dropped was necessary.
The Environment Agency had objected to the expansion over concerns about the potential contamination of ground water.
Cllr Fisher said: “The expansion is necessary to meet future cemetery needs, internments take place about one metre above the ground water.
“The ground conditions in the existing cemetery are the same and a detailed investigation hasn’t been carried out.
“If the required expansion is not carried out in approximately 15 years the people of Haxby and Wigginton will have nowhere to bury their dead.”
The developer’s agent Mr Nakus said they had been unable to include the cemetery expansion in the plans because of the Environment Agency’s objection.
The agent said: “Why would we remove it and have all this grief if we could do expand the cemetery?
“Sewage systems are not at capacity, this is a fully-compliant scheme that delivers a huge amount of public benefits.”
Speaking following the meeting, a spokesperson for Barratt and David Wilson Homes said they were pleased with the committee’s approval.
The spokesperson said: “This development will play a key role in providing a range of homes including affordable to address York’s housing crisis, alongside a children’s nursery, extensive open green space, and significant financial contributions to local facilities.”