150 homes approved for Pickering despite sewage warnings

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 27 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

North Yorkshire councillors have narrowly approved plans for up to 150 new homes in Pickering despite warnings from Yorkshire Water that the town's sewage system is at capacity.

North Yorkshire Council's Thirsk and Malton planning committee voted by two to one, with one abstention, to grant outline permission for Persimmon Homes to build up to 150 homes on agricultural land south of Firthland Road in Pickering.

Yorkshire Water objected to the application, warning that the town's sewerage network and wastewater treatment works were already at capacity. Pickering Town Council claimed further development could make illegal sewage discharges into local rivers inevitable. Pickering councillor Joy Andrews proposed refusing the application, arguing the development was outside the town's development limits and would add pressure to local infrastructure.

Committee chair Councillor Caroline Goodrick said she had little choice but to support planning officers' recommendation to approve the scheme. She criticised Yorkshire Water for failing to provide councillors with information about its infrastructure improvement plans, noting that the developer had received an update from the utilities company that councillors had not.

The development will include one- to four-bedroom homes and bungalows, with 35 per cent classed as affordable housing. It will feature electric-vehicle charging points, air-source heat pumps, solar panels, green spaces, walking routes and a children's play area. Persimmon will pay more than £1 million through the Community Infrastructure Levy.

How it is being reported

• 150 North Yorkshire homes approved despite warning sewage system is at capacityPlans for up to 150 Persimmon homes in Pickering approved despite Yorkshire Water warnings that sewage capacity is already full and could cause pollution.Darlington & Stockton Times · 27 Oct, 05:30
• Up to 150 new homes approved for North Yorkshire town - including affordable housingNorth Yorkshire councillors approve up to 150 Persimmon homes off Firthland Road in Pickering, including 35 per centaffordable housing, green space and EV chargers.The Northern Echo · 27 Oct, 05:30
• 150 North Yorkshire homes approved despite warning sewage system is at capacityPlans for up to 150 Persimmon homes in Pickering approved despite Yorkshire Water warnings that sewage capacity is already full and could cause pollution.The Northern Echo · 27 Oct, 05:30
• Up to 150 new homes approved for North Yorkshire town - including affordable housingNorth Yorkshire councillors approve up to 150 Persimmon homes off Firthland Road in Pickering, including 35 per centaffordable housing, green space and EV chargers.Darlington & Stockton Times · 27 Oct, 05:30

In this story: Persimmon Homes · North Yorkshire Council · Yorkshire Water · Pickering · Pickering Town Council · Caroline Goodrick · Joy Andrews · Graham Whiteford

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem