Plan to build eight 'large executive homes' in conservation area refused by council

Fordy Farms (Ingleby) Ltd applied to Middlesbrough Council for planning permission to build eight homes on land near Grey Towers Farm, in Nunthorpe. The scheme drew objections from a ward councillor, parish councillor and residents.

Nunthorpe Councillor Mieka Smiles said: “The proposed properties are not in keeping with the wider area. They look as though they are densely packed together and are not in the spirit of the original plans for the area.”

She said the homes would put pressure on the estate and Marton Road, and would change a right of way connecting to the countryside “to redirect it through a tightly packed development. It certainly wouldn’t be beneficial to those who currently use the right of way – nor would it be desirable for those who would live in the proposed homes.

“It means less green space and will have an impact on biodiversity and wildlife in the area,” she added.

The objections from 11 properties raised an array of issues including increases in traffic, congestion and pollution, inadequate access, road safety and disrepair, lack of facilities, over-development, mismatch with other houses, parking, public transport, anti-social behaviour, privacy, green space, flora and fauna, construction disturbance and impacts on wildlife, human rights and house prices.

Two residents wrote in support saying the land was a derelict eyesore with flytipping and anti-social behaviour and needed development. They said the houses were sympathetic to the area, high quality and a sensible, well thought-out plan enhancing the outlook.

Most of the site was for housing under the Local Plan, but part of it was in the Nunthorpe conservation area. Nunthorpe Parish Council argued the number of houses had already gone way beyond limits in the plan, and “there should be no further increase”.

The parish council asserted the land was in a green space which should be preserved, not a housing area. It said there was an “abundance of wildlife” and a network of paths to the countryside, and the homes would put too much strain on traffic, roads, schools and doctors.

Council officers recommended the plan for approval. They said most of the site was allocated for housing and it was not green wedge or public open space and was not in open countryside, so the development was considered acceptable.

They said the home design was “a high quality development with large executive homes in an attractive landscaped setting”, it would meet a neighbouring new build and was sympathetic to part of the site’s historic use. They did not believe the proposed homes would harm residents or roads.

However councillors on the planning committee which makes the final decision disagreed and went against the officers’ recommendation. They voted to reject the plan.

Coun David Coupe said after the meeting: “I think it was the right result. It’s overdevelopment of the site. It’s fine building houses but don’t just build for building’s sake. I thought that’s what that was.”