PLANS to build 24 houses at Carla Beck Farm in Carleton have received a mixed response .

Carleton Parish Council raises concerns about traffic in Carla Beck Lane, pressure on the village school, and on the sewerage network.

But the council, which held a public meeting to discuss the plans, says most people are in favour of "some sort of development".

Outline plans proposed by Keith Downs, of Milnerfield Farm in Bingley, are to redevelop the two-acre brownfield site with a variety of detached, link-detached, semi-detached and terrace homes.

Larger, detached homes with gardens are earmarked for the southern part of the site at the planned entrance, with the remainder further into the land.

In its comments to Craven's planning team, the parish council says Carla Beck Lane is narrow in parts and has difficult junctions with Pale Lane and Limehouse Lane.

In times of flood, traffic is diverted onto Carla Beck Lane, which is subject to the national speed limit.

It also raises concerns about the ability of the primary school to cope and questions additional financial pressures on North Yorkshire County Council.

"Because of all these problems and the restrictive public spending, it is very unlikely the council would be willing or able to undertake any meaningful remedial work, so the problems would remain for the increase in traffic the application would generate," the parish council added.

Nearby residents have also raised concerns about flooding and commented on how a thriving farm business enhances the area more than additional houses.

Agent for Mr Downs, Barrie Birch, in his design brief to Craven District Council, says although the River Aire floods extensively to the north of the site, the proposed areas for housing has never flooded "according to the owner's knowledge".

He added: "It seems logical to develop brownfield sites, such as this one. A residential core has already been established by development of domestic properties from former agricultural buildings in the area."

North Yorkshire highways, while not objecting to the plans, recommends conditions regarding new access roads and pavements, while the sports development officer for Craven asks for open space provision. Craven Strategic Housing team has asked for 40 per cent of the houses to be affordable.