DEVELOPERS behind controversial plans to build homes and a bypass on the edge of Beverley are appealing for the go-ahead to be given.
David Wilson Yorkshire East has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after East Riding Council failed to rule on the plans within the expected timescale.
The developers want to build 163 homes and a £4m bypass north of Driffield Road but objectors claim the scheme would ruin the character of the town.
North Beverley Action Group has vowed to fight the appeal, claiming the town is under siege from developers.
Action group chairman Roy Dennett said: "It appears the developers have been unable to satisfy the council planners over key issues and, apprehensive that the planning committee would refuse the application, they have decided to take their chances with the Planning Inspectorate."
He said action group members are "overwhelmingly opposed" to the scheme and would fight it at appeal.
Driffield Road resident David Tucker said: "Why would our council give in to the steamroller tactics now being employed by speculative builders purporting to have 'the benefit of the town' at their hearts?
"The proposal by David Wilson Homes for the Driffield approach to Beverley are totally inappropriate for the town as it is in an area currently not designated for house building in the Local Development Framework, it is on grade two farmland and it is in an area classified as having significant landscape value."
Mr Tucker claimed developers, including David Wilson Yorkshire East, are targeting green fields and prime sites around the town.
He said: "Beverley is currently under attack on a large number of sites because these building wolves can see the chance for a killing at Woodhall Way, Driffeld Road, Longcroft School, Beverley College, Westwood Hospital and Grovehill Road.
"The Government is wavering over the use of green field land for building and the current national regulatory planning framework is in a state of flux.
"Where the pack is divided and weakened, the wolves see their chance to race in for a kill – and they want the really big killing on large four to five-bedroomed executive homes on prime green field sites because they aren't interested in providing what the town really needs, which is low cost housing on brownfield town centre sites for our young people to get into the housing market."
Action group member Mr Tucker is urging residents to oppose the plans when they are considered on appeal.
He said: "The town must stand united and determine its own plan and not be bounced into irreversible building mistakes which it will regret for ever."
David Wilson Yorkshire East has confirmed it has appealed.
Development director Peter Morris said: "We believe what we're proposing for Beverley would bring great benefits to the area.
"We've learned that each site must be addressed individually – there are no 'one size fits all' projects in Yorkshire. We understand that each site must become an integral part of its wider community to be a success – bringing jobs and homes."
A spokesman for East Riding Council said: "The council understands the applicant has appealed on the grounds of non-determination of the application within the stipulated timescale.
"However, the council has not yet been formally notified of the appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.
"Notwithstanding that the matter will now be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate, we shall be taking a report to planning committee in the new year for members to say what their decision would have been and this will be used for the council's case at the appeal hearing."
