Is Skipton in danger of losing the very essence that makes people want to live in the area?

The planned development of grazing land off The Bailey – known affectionately as 'Pig Field' because it normally has pigs on it – prompted a special meeting of the town council, even though it is only a consultee in the planning process, and the launch of a petition.

The application itself, which seeks only to establish the principle of housing on the site, will be decided by Craven District Council – and probably not until next year.

York-based Rawson Developments say the eight-acre (3.22 hectare) site is eminently suitable for a mixed development of 83 homes.

It says transport links are good, a pedestrian route will be provided to get into town, and it will help towards Craven's house building target.

Those opposed, however, are of a different point of view, and say it will put an unbearable strain on not only the road network, but on schools and doctors surgeries.

Some also object to a loss of views and of the urbanisation of an attractive approach into Skipton.

At last week's town council meeting, some also claimed there had been enough houses being built in the town and that Skipton was in danger of losing the very essence that made people want to live in the area.

Protestors point out the plan is just one of a clutch of new housing proposals, either recently submitted to Craven District Council or expected to come before the planning committee shortly.

They include a plan for 114 homes off North Parade, which was given outline planning consent back in March, 2013.

Developers Keyhaven Homes submitted a full planning application in February for a slightly scaled-down plan for 110 homes and without the originally planned shop, which was dropped because of a lack of interest.

It is envisaged the ten-acre (4.2 hectare) site will include a mixture of one to four-bedroom homes, including 20 per cent (or 22 homes) classed as affordable. There will also be an all-purpose multi-use games area (MUGA).

The application is expected to come before the planning committee in the near future and, with the principle of development already established, full consent is likely, with a start on building possible soon after.

Another long-expected plan, which was submitted just last month, is the joint Craven District Council/Lovell scheme for North Parade, on council-owned land.

The plan – the last remaining part of the scaled-down Skipton Developments Project – was originally for 160 homes, including three-storey apartment blocks, and originally including 40 per cent affordable.

The detailed application now before the council is for 88 one to four-bedroom homes, including 20 affordable. Lovell says the reduction in affordable homes – of just more than 20 per cent rather than 40 per cent – will be based on a "viability appraisal" to Craven Council. It is planned the more expensive homes, with large gardens, will be positioned facing the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Lovell, as the council's development partner, is also responsible for the 57-home Lambert Hills development on the site of the former council offices in Granville Street, which is nearing completion.

The redevelopment of the former council offices was also part of the Skipton Developments Project, which saw the replacement of 9 High Street with Albion Place. Plans to include the large-scale transformation of Skipton Town Hall as part of the project were dropped.

Meanwhile, the largest and most significant plan due to come before the planning committee soon is the mixed Wyvern Park scheme on land between Waltonwrays Cemetery and Sandylands Sports Centre.

The original plan to include a superstore, restaurant and hotel, as the money-making part of the development, was scrapped after it was refused permission following a negative retail impact report last year.

Developers and site owners, Henry Boot, which says it is committed to developing the land, is now looking at building 225 new homes and a business park, instead of the hotel and superstore.

It is, however, unlikely to receive an altogether warm welcome from councillors on the planning committee, whatever the recommendation from the professional officers.

Skipton Town Council has registered its objections, questioning the need for more houses in the town.

Councillors are, however, finding it increasingly difficult to refuse planning applications, even when they are so vehemently opposed by residents in their wards.

Officers, when recommending approval, make it clear they are having to follow the National Planning Policy Framework and the presumption is to approve, unless there are very sound reasons for refusal.

The council's own Craven Local Plan is still classed as 'emerging' and some way off being formally adopted. Although the closer it gets to being approved, the more weight it will carry.

Recently, as in a planned 21-home development off the A65 in Hellifield, councillors have used the fact Craven had reached its five-year housing supply target – plus a 20 per cent buffer – as a possible reason for refusal.

Now, however, that target looks like being changed. Tonight, the council's spatial planning committee is being asked to increase Craven's annual house building target from 184 to 256.

It will also be asked to approve changes to the 'emerging local plan spatial strategy', which will put annual housing growth figures at 142 for Skipton, 30 for Settle, 29 for Bentham, 13 for Glusburn and Cross Hills and eight for Ingleton.

The new figures, councillors will be told, correctly reflect Craven's housing needs.

So, it seems Skipton could experience a lot of development in the near future. Lovell's Lambert Hills is nearing completion and Skipton Properties' 100-home Elsey Croft development is well underway.

North Parade looks set to be the next to start, if everything goes to plan with its reserved matters application. Next in line would be the town-changing Wyvern Park, if planning permission is approved, and right at the end, the council's own vision, Horse Close.