PLANS for affordable housing in Grassington have met with a mixed response from the parish council.

At an extraordinary meeting, a number of councillors expressed concerns about safety if eight homes were built on the proposed Garrs End Lane site.

Coun John Benson said there was a serious risk of injury because of the inadequate access road . "I think it is totally inappropriate. We are putting kids at risk," he added.

The meeting was also addressed by Andrew Earnshaw, chairman of the Garrs End Lane Conservation Group, which is against the development.

He explained the group had delivered a leaflet to every home in the village. It included a section asking villagers to reply if they were not in favour of affordable homes on the proposed site.

He said a total of 269 Grassington residents had responded. "We do want the housing, but it is just not the right site," said Mr Earnshaw.

The scheme to build eight affordable homes to rent has been put forward by Home Housing. It includes four three-bedroomed properties and four two-bedroomed homes with 12 car parking spaces.

A formal planning application has been submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Mr Earnshaw told parish councillors that around 30 per cent of the village had voiced concern against the proposals.

The major concern centred on access to the houses.

Mr Earnshaw presented a letter that had been written by the highways authority to Home Housing project manager Jim Shepherd.

The letter, dated December 2002, stated that the roads leading to the site were unsuitable for any more traffic.

Both Mr Earnshaw and Coun Benson suggested that an alternative piece of land at the top of Moody Sty Lane should be considered for affordable housing instead.

Coun Benson said: "Moody Sty Lane is screaming out 'develop this for affordable housing'. It also has two way traffic access."

The parish council resolved to ask the landowner whether he would consider selling the other piece of land on Moody Sty Lane for development instead of the Garrs End Lane site.

The council also took a vote with five of the nine members agreeing to support the application.