Part of the site has already been earmarked for significant development after being allocated in the Council's Local Plan as long ago as the 1990s.

But the scheme which will go before committee members this Wednesday will include many more homes than the policy makers deem acceptable.

The scheme under consideration would see an additional 498 homes built on land off Low Street by applicants Redrow and Persimmon.

This number is significantly higher than the circa 300 homes which the council wishes to see built here before 2026.

The officer's report to the committee says, 'The proposal, by virtue of the number of units proposed, is contrary to the “Selby District Council Position Statement, Release of Selby District Local Plan Phase 2 Sites [of] September 2011” ... and therefore would undermine the Council's strategy for the controlled release of housing land.'

Some 56 residents from the area have written to the council, mostly objecting to the scheme, citing concerns over highways, local infrastructure and school and healthcare capacity are reasons for refusal.

In a letter to the council, one local resident said, 'The already busy road with very narrow junctions and passing points hardly copes at present. Heaven knows what it will be like with cars from 800 additional homes. It's hard enough crossing the main roads as it is. And we expect minor roads will be used as 'rat-runs' with the resultant danger of accidents being increased.

He continued, 'ALL the local schools are already oversubscribed and have waiting lists. What plans are there for increasing education and other facilities in line with the huge increase in population?'

Meanwhile members of the local parish council had already submitted a lengthy objection stating, '..the basic problem is that village services and infrastructure are at and beyond capacity without this large development which if there is no other development would itself be likely to increase the village population by up to 20% by 2016 and by one third if other proposed allocations are confirmed.'

::  The application will be voted on at a public meeting of the Selby District Planning Committee due to take place at 16:00 on Wednesday.