PASSIONATE objections from neighbours could mean a major housing development planned for a Ryedale town is thrown out.

Bryant Homes has applied to Ryedale District Council to build 39 houses on agricultural land between Whitfield Avenue and Ruffa Lane in Pickering.

The substantial development includes four three-bedroom and 21 four-bedroom houses, and eight two-bedroom and six three-bedroom, which are designated as affordable housing.

Richard Leigh, in one of the dozen letters written to the planning department by Whitfield Avenue residents, stated that he was "greatly concerned" about the proposed access to the development at the junction of Whitfield Avenue and Ruffa Lane.

He said: "This is a very dangerous corner, with very poor visibility. I can quite foresee if this development goes ahead, the top of Whitfield Avenue will become an accident black spot."

Janet and Mike Brown wrote: "There will be a large increase in cars using Whitfield Avenue.

They added: "With quite a few children living here, surely their safety should be put first instead of building houses which are not needed."

Neighbours Donna and Philip Abbott wrote: "Pickering is a very nice area and I can understand why many more people would like to move here as it is a lovely town with an excellent reputation for schooling, but there has to come a time when we stop expanding."

Pickering Town Council is against the application because:

it exceeds the planned housing provision for the town

there is no second access road

the number of large four-bedroom houses does not reflect local housing needs

there is no public space for children to play in at the development.

The Highways Authority recommended refusal because there was no secondary access.

Members of the planning committee will consider the application, which officers have recommended for refusal, at a meeting on Tuesday.

Updated: 11:04 Friday, December 05, 2003