Outline plan for more than 50 houses in Whitby approved despite safety concerns
An outline application for up to 54 houses in Whitby has been approved by councillors despite local objections.
Terra Green Yorkshire’s (TGY) outline application for dozens of houses south of Mayfield Road in Whitby has been approved by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee after a decision was deferred last month.
The proposal for “all matters reserved except access” was opposed by more than 50 locals who raised concerns about the impact of the project on wildlife and existing properties on land between Resolution Way and Pembroke Way in Whitby.
Speaking on behalf of affected residents who formed the Blue Land Action Group, Zoe Cottier, told the committee meeting that people were concerned about the site’s land stability and said “the safety of residents could be compromised where homes are put at risk and protected species could be harmed”.
Ms Cottier added: “Approving the application without adequate evidence could expose the council to future challenges should damages or breaches occur, or safety be compromised”.
A planning report said the risk of flooding was low and that “small parts of the site are shown to be at risk of surface water flooding”.
Annabel Parkinson, agent for the application, said the development was in a “highly sustainable location within the development limits of Whitby” and stated that “the council is only able to demonstrate 2.7 years’ worth of deliverable housing supply as of April 2025, so the presumption in favour of sustainable development has been engaged”.
“There are no technical, legal, or policy reasons to refuse the application, and I urge councillors to approve the application subject to the signing of S106 agreements”.
Coun Derek Bastiman told colleagues: “We did note that there has been a landslip there and I would like to be assured that any investigation is at the toe of that bank and not halfway down.
“Because it would be the toe where the landslip has been, that would cause a landslip, so we must be positive and ensure that that is worked into a condition.“
Officers said that conditions would require a “ground investigation encompassing the full length of the slope suspected of movement plus a buffer zone”.
Coun Subash Sharma said: “What I do not want to see is that 30 per cent affordable housing allocation reduced because of the profitability of the site because of what they find when they start building, and I’d like some assurance of that”.
Planners told the committee that if the developer wanted to amend the affordable housing allocation, it would have to be approved by the planning committee.
The outline application was approved, subject to conditions and S106 developer contributions, by the planning committee.