OVERHAULED plans bringing a greater number of affordable homes to a leafy Yarm estate have been backed by ten votes to one.

Councillors have agreed Broadacres Housing Association can alter the make-up of 149 new homes lined up on the Tall Trees estate, off Green Lane.

Permission for the second phase of the 330 home development was granted to Avant Homes in 2016. 

Now Northallerton-based Broadacres Housing Association and housebuilder Yorvik Homes have stepped in – with rejigged plans to build smaller homes for younger families. 

The proposals have replaced dozens of four and five-bedroom homes with more affordable two and three-bedroom homes.

But the changes sparked dissent from existing Tall Trees residents at the planning meeting.

No fewer than 67 objections were lodged ahead of the decision – with concerns on how smaller homes would hit the character of the existing estate and how they could bring more traffic troubles. 

Resident Hugh Roberts told the committee 55 four and five-bed homes had been replaced by two to three bed affordable homes in the blueprints – and believed a new planning application should have been lodged. 

Meanwhile, Yarm’s Peter Mitchell was unhappy with the level of detail on landscaping at the southern end of the development – with concerns about the “mismatch” between the first section of Tall Trees homes and the second phase lined up. 

Mr Mitchell added: “The local plan states developments should not increase the risk or the fear of crime.

“If you look at the objections, you’ll see residents already have that fear of crime and this is based on first-hand experience of Broadacres developments near where we live.

“Are the committee assured that the existing fear of crime won’t become a reality?”

Fears of increased demand on school places and more kerbside parking on the estate were also sounded.

A total of 70 homes are set to be available on the open market while 50 will be available via a Government shared ownership scheme which offers a mix of rent and home ownership. 

The remaining 29 homes are being set aside as “affordable” or for social rent – with people with connections to Eaglescliffe, Ingleby Barwick East and Yarm eligible to move in. 

A statement issued by Broadacres ahead of the meeting said it was working hard to dispel “myths and stereotypes” about affordable housing.

Andi McLoughlin, from Broadacres, wrote to Stockton Council pointing to a “gap” in housing needs – stressing smaller homes for younger people looking to get their first step on the housing ladder were needed. 

Mr McLoughlin added: “The scheme is delivering the same number of units at 149 as per the original permission.

“However, these have been changed to a mix of two, three, four and five bed homes to provide a more diverse mix of properties to serve different parts of the market.”

Cllr Lynn Hall echoed arguments of objectors about the demand on schools around Yarm – and believed a new planning application should have been lodged.

The Conservative member for Hartburn added: “I consider the amendments in no way to be minor – even if additional conditions are applied.

“The development is substantially different and, in my opinion, a fresh application is required.”

But planning officer Simon Grundy told the committee the council believed adjusting the existing plans was a “viable process” in this case. 

After an hour of debate, the rejigged plans were backed by ten votes to one with one abstention.