Finghall application can be considered by officers, council chiefs say

Council staff are able to decide the outcome of a controversial planning application, council chiefs say.

Residents of Finghall have called for councillors to decide on plans for 12 houses on fields off Blewhouse Lane in the village.

However, the application is due to be decided by officers under delegated powers.

Confirming that it is acceptable for officers to handle the decision, North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for planning, Trevor Watson, said: “Under the council’s scheme of delegation the proposal at Finghall can be considered by officers.

“The scheme of delegation gives officers delegated authority as set out within the council’s constitution. This follows government guidance and is typical across most councils.”

The scheme would include eight detached homes and a terrace of four houses with a local occupancy clause.

Supporting documents submitted with the plans claim that the scheme would align with the policy objectives of the Richmondshire Local Plan.

However, 11 objections have been received from local residents have raised objections to the scheme, submitted by applicants Mr and Mrs Blackburn, with several claiming it is too large for the village and would the development would be detrimental to the residents living nearby.

They say there are already nine other homes being built or with planning permission in the village.

One resident said: “This is a large scale proposal which would have a severe impact on the small rural Dales village of Finghall and its residents and therefore needs to be considered by planning committee and not a planning officer.”