Objectors who packed the planning inquiry into the Kirkbymoorside housing scheme are 'cautiously optimistic' that it will be rejected.

Coun Gary Hobbs who represents the town on Ryedale District Council and was one of the leaders of the campaign against the controversial scheme by Tay Homes, said: "I am hopeful that the appeal will not be upheld."

He added that RDC had put forward 'a compelling case' against the scheme in its present form and he and others had opposed on the grounds of its design, layout and impact on the historic market town.

"At worst, if it is approved, I think there will be a large number of conditions attached and Tay Homes will have to come forward with a new plan."

Coun Hobbs told the inquiry: "Kirkbymoorside is a market town of under 3,000 people and we should aim for a sensible density and not for a city centre site."

He added that the density of 58.5 dwellings to the hectare was contrary to the Government's recommendation of 30 to 50 to the hectare. Coun Hobbs claimed Tay Homes had not taken notice of Ryedale District Council planning officers' advice regarding design of the development.

"This development could be built anywhere from Penzance to Inverness. Some four bedroom houses and two bedroom cottages would greatly help the variety. This planning appeal is very important for the whole of Ryedale because it is the first application for many dwellings since the Government's new PPG3 planning guidance. What happens here will greatly influence developments in other parts of Ryedale for good or ill."

He said the proposed three-storey block of flats had caused particular objection.

"No dwellings on this site should be more than two storeys. Outside the historic streets of Kirkbymoorside, there are none."

Coun Sheila Ridley, of Kirkbymoorside Town Council, said it was accepted that the site was at present "a bit of an eyesore". She said: "From the beginning, the council has welcomed worthwhile development of this brownfield site."

She said the site was important because it was on the edge of Kirkbymoorside's conservation area. Coun Ridley added that the three-storey flats would overshadow existing bungalows in the area.

"They will have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity," she said. In addition, there was concern among residents about road safety, especially in West Lund. The government is urging a mix of housing types to create mixed communities. The proposed development falls short of this in that it only includes two house types.

Coun Ridley said: "Kirkbymoorside welcomes worthwhile development. It needs people and it needs to progress but not by the imposition of a development which goes against the wishes of RDC and against a strong body of public opinion."

Tay Homes architect Christopher Wildblood said Kirkbymoorside had a cluster of Edwardian properties around the West End, West Lund and West Fields areas of Kirkbymoorside with bungalows on the south side and flanking the appeal site.

"In my opinion, it is entirely appropriate that the characteristics of West End be extended to the site."

Mr Wildblood said the proposed plan would reproduce the massing, variety of height and relationship with the street scene.

The buildings facing West Fields and West Lund would be built in artificial stone.

"The design does not break new ground. It relies on traditional detailing," he said, adding it was a scheme of "good ordinary housing".

Simon Chadwick, of RPS Chapman Warren, town planning and environmental consultants, said Ryedale District Council was failing to meet the 'brownfield' land target for new residential development in its area - only 29pc compared with development target of 53pc.

"The need to bring forward a site such as this for development, for as many houses as reasonably possible, is important."

He said that while the density of the development would be greater than the 50 dwellings per hectare suggested by the guidance, there were no specific criticisms of either cramped development or functional aspects of the scheme. He said the number of homes was within the density figures put forward by deputy prime minister John Prescott.

A decision on the appeal is not expected to be announced until the end of January.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, December 13, 2001