HOUSES look set to be built on derelict land off Marton Street in Skipton despite councillors twice refusing the plans and fierce opposition from residents.

A planning inspector has overruled all the objections and granted permission for Southdale Homes to build 33 houses.

But ward representative Coun Paul English said the community was disgusted by the decision and would be taking the matter to the High Court.

"We have not come this far to give up," he added.

Craven District Council originally rejected the plans for the houses because there was no outdoor play area. Instead Southdale Homes offered £17,000 towards the upkeep of Thornton Street recreation ground.

Residents launched a campaign against the development claiming the area was the last bit of green land on Broughton Road.

They were also worried that all the properties would be handed over to a housing association. They claimed the area already had more than its fair share of properties for people with drugs and alcohol abuse and mental health problems.

The applicants resubmitted plans for 31 houses and a small play area. Councillors agreed to approve the plans if the size of the play area was increased slightly.

Southdale Homes refused to negotiate and appealed against the refusal of the original application.

Reaching her decision, planning inspector Zoe Hill stated: "At my site visit I saw the recreational facilities at Thornton Street, those provided by the canal towpath and Aireville Park, along with the allotments and private facilities.

"In the absence of any fully reasoned evidence to the contrary I consider the facilities within the the vicinity are adequate to serve future and existing residents."

She added that the site had been earmarked for housing in the adopted local plan.

Miss Hill rejected claims by highways officials that the 33 houses needed 49 car parking spaces. She agreed with the applicants that 35 were enough.

She also rejected a request from the county council for the develop-ers to install flashing warning lights at the Ings School crossing.

"I consider the additional traffic generated by 33 dwellings would not represent such a significant change in circumstances as to warrant such a contribution."

Resident Margaret Hicks was upset by the decision and said the area did not want any more housing association properties.

"Broughton Road is a right dumping ground. It is getting to be a right mess down here," she said.

Had the houses been developed for the elderly or disabled, she thought everyone would have gone along with the proposals.

Ward representative Coun English said he could not believe the decision. "What we have got is an unelected person making this decision completely against the will of the people and against the will of the elected members of the planning committee."

Coun English added that the residents had been close to signing an agreement with the Countryside Agency under its Village Greens in Urban Areas scheme. They had hoped the Agency would buy the land and give it to the community to be kept as open green land.