A HUGE new housing estate of 969 homes has been given the go ahead after a nailbiting vote by councillors.

Developers lodged plans for the new houses off Yarm Back Lane with Stockton Council back in 2018 – before the plans came to Stockton Council’s planning committee on Wednesday afternoon.

There had been dozens of objections to the plans, including from Stockton South MP and sitting Hartburn councillor Matt Vickers.

After a passionate debate, a bid to defer the decision was defeated and chairwoman Norma Stephenson’s casting vote approved the development –  which had been recommended by council officers.

Both the vote to defer, and the vote on whether approval would be granted, were tied six-six – with the chair deciding both matters.

Cllr Maurice Perry, member for Fairfield, substituted for Cllr Bill Woodhead on the committee – but could not vote as he was “pre-determined” by previously objecting to the plans.

It meant he could not vote on the motion to defer, which was raised by Cllr Tony Riordan, leader of the Conservative group.

Cllr Riordan asked nine questions at the lengthy three hour meeting – raising concerns about the cost of major works that would be needed at the Elton Interchange/A66, if the houses were approved.

He also believed Yarm Back Lane was too narrow to cope with extra traffic – and asked for the decision to be deferred until more information came to light.

The width of the road was a point also picked up on by Tory colleague Cllr Lynn Hall – while a number of objectors believed the speed limit along the road should be limited to 30mph.

Councillors were told that measure would need the support of Cleveland Police – while council solicitor Julie Butcher revealed the council risked losing out on around £10m of Government cash to improve highways and wider infrastructure if it did not approve the plans by February 19.

Frustrated residents spoke at the meeting but said they felt their concerns – especially about traffic onto Yarm Back Lane and the A66 – weren’t being taken seriously.

Martin Parker, council highways officer, said the current cost estimate for the Elton Interchange/A66 project was slightly more than £13m, with a further £3.5m price tag for improvements work at Darlington Back Lane/Yarm Back Lane.

The highways officer also said Yarm Back Lane was wide enough under current standards.

Cllr Perry told the committee he felt there should be 194 affordable homes from the estate – not 121 as in the application – and asked for an explanation.

Planning officer Simon Grundy said the council had to “take the hit” on the number of affordable homes to get money for Elton Interchange and a new primary school.

But Thornaby Mayor Cllr Steve Walmsley believed it was a “bit perverse” for a council to recommend approval when it was getting “cash inducements”.

“There is all this wheeling and dealing which goes on which councillors aren’t privy to,” he added.

The “West Stockton Sustainable Urban Extension” has allocated 2,150 homes on land off Harrowgate Lane and Yarm Back Lane as part of Stockton’s “local plan”.

This council masterplan was approved at the start of 2019 – allocating land for more than 10,000 extra homes in the borough up to 2032 to cater for rising populations and housing demands.

What the plans will bring

Developers Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey will build the new houses, which will be constructed over a number of years.

A hub to provide a community centre and shops as well as a new primary school have been lined up for the huge 114-acre site.

A £9.9m contribution from the developers for wider infrastructure, land worth £1.7m for a new primary school and works on the Elton Interchange, and one-eighth of the homes being classed as “affordable” are part of the deal.

Meanwhile, work to improve the A66 Elton Interchange and the Yarm Back Lane-Darlington Back-Bishopton Road West junction must come before the 161st home is built.

Cash for work at the Horse and Jockey roundabout is also in the deal.

Four new junctions from Yarm Back Lane, two play areas and a north-south cycleway through the site have also been lined up.