Planning Consultations in Eaglescliffe & Yarm

Are you confused by all the major planning issues which have emerged piecemeal in the last few weeks? We hope that the following will help.

For two sites (marked *) approval for development might come through more than one route. If you object, it is important that you send objections to both proposals for the same site.

1. A. Regeneration and Environment Development Plan Document (DPD)

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) are currently undertaking a Preferred Options Consultation on this document. The final document will come into force when it is adopted in 2014 and it is intended that it will govern planning policy until 2029. Copies can be seen at public libraries and www.stockton.gov.uk/planningconsultation. There will be a public consultation session in Stockton Central Library from 1500 to 1900 on 20-9-12. We are concerned that it is proposing housing on additional sites in and near Eaglescliffe:

1. * Urlay Nook, Eaglescliffe, between the A67 and the railway line, west of existing housing, 570 homes (page 110 of the document)
2. Morley Carr, Yarm, west of Allerton Balk & north of Green Lane, 300 homes
3. * South of Green Lane, almost the full stretch from Allerton Balk to Thirsk Road roundabout, both sides of Yarm Station, including playing fields of YarmSchool, 735 homes

Any comments you have need to be received by SBC by 24-9-12.

1. B. Already Approved

SBC's Planning Committee have already approved:

1. Allen's West, Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe (former Naval Depot), outline application for the 845 dwellings and a residential institution with associated retail, crèche and community facilities, landscaping, roads, parking and infrastructure. This approval is unaffected by the DPD.
2. Morley Carr, Yarm (the site in Para. A.2 above), application for outline planning consent, with all matters reserved save for means of access, for residential development, community hall, public open space, outdoor recreational facilities and associated access arrangements and landscaping. The approval cannot be issued at the moment, while the Secretary of State considers whether to call in the decision making. If finally approved, the development could go ahead before the DPD is finalised.

1. C. Planning Applications under Consideration

SBC is required to consider the following in the next few weeks. Applications may be viewed at http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/planningdepartment/planappon/. Click on Public Acciss then search for the relevant number below. Your comments should be sent to them on that website or at Planning Services, Municipal Buildings, Church road, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, TS18 1LD, or by e-mail to developmentservices@stockton.gov.uk.

1. i. * Urlay Nook Road, the part of the site in Para. A.1 above nearest existing housing , outline application for residential development and creation of new highways access, building 159 houses. . If finally approved, the development could go ahead before the DPD is finalised. Comments should be received by SBC by 10-10-12, quoting App. No. 12/2047/OUT).
2. ii. Egglescliffe side of R Tees downstream of the Blue Bell, full planning application for playing pitches together with emergency/maintenance access from Egglescliffe village, creation of a pedestrian footbridge over the River Tees, creation of public green space and enhancement of the footpath network, and creation of a public car park facility at foot of Egglescliffe Bank (a.k.a. Stoney Bank). Outline planning application for a sports pavilion with all matters reserved except access. This application is unaffected by the DPD process. Comments should be received by SBC by 26-9-12, quoting App. No. 12/1595/EIS.
3. iii. * South of Green Lane, Yarm (the site in Para. A.3 above), outline application for residential development for up to 735 dwellings, additional railway station car parking, access, infrastructure, open space and landscaping (all matters reserved except for access). If finally approved, the development could go ahead before the DPD is finalised. Comments should be received by SBC by 28-9-12, quoting App. No. 12/1990/EIS.
4. iv. Mount Leven, Yarm, retirement village, application not yet fully ready. This application is unaffected by the DPD process.

1. D. Our Concerns

We are opposed to unsustainable and inappropriate developments. If you comment to SBC on any or all of the applications and/or the DPD, we suggest that you address the following points.

• Can the local roads cope with the extra traffic generated if all or most of the proposals are implemented? Whatever other highway improvements take place, it is impracticable to increase the traffic flow over YarmBridge so more traffic would mean more jams, which mean more delays and more fumes.
• The distance of some of the outlying areas of proposed housing makes it unlikely that residents there would go to shops, schools and community facilities without using their cars.
• If all the housing proposed for Eaglescliffe were built, there would be a shortage of primary school places in Eaglescliffe.
• The sports pitches below Egglescliffe village and the MountLeven retirement village would be on land already designated as part of the TeesHeritagePark and the green wedge. Effect on biodiversity.
• The application described in Para. C.iii above (Green Lane, Yarm) is for land not currently zoned for development. It would be premature to grant it until the wider distribution of new housing land in this borough is settled by the future finalisation of the DPD.
• SBC's existing policy is that brownfield sites in the central area of this borough should be developed before greenfield sites.

Please avoid the following comments, which would be disregarded by planners:

• Effect on the value of your property - this is not legally a "material planning consideration".
• The phrase "green belt" -this has a precise meaning in Planning law and does not apply in this borough.