AN estate refused over fears it would harm a tranquil cemetery will now go ahead after inspectors overturned the decision on appeal. 

Efforts to build ten homes south of Thornaby Football Club, off Acklam Road, were refused by Stockton Council planning committee last August.

But planning inspectors have ruled the estate can be built after judging it would not cause “unacceptable harm” to the appearance of the area.

Scaled back plans by the developer saw the number of homes cut from 26 homes to ten after concerns were aired by council officers.

And there was anger from Thornaby Mayor Steve Walmsley at last year’s planning meeting – who accused developers of “chancing their arm”. 

“It abuts an award-winning cemetery of great beauty, tranquillity, heritage and biodiversity,” he said.

“To sacrifice all this for ten houses which do nothing for housing provision, or affordable housing, but cause immense damage to a cherished area is an absolute outrage.”  

Fears about the junction onto Acklam Road also swayed the committee to turn the estate down. 

But in a report released this week, the Planning Inspectorate found there was “no evidence” put forward to suggest up to ten homes would hit highway safety. 

Carlington Developments is now seeking costs from the council on the back of the overturned call.

Developer Trevor Arnold hit out in the wake of the committee’s decision last summer branding it “part of a witch hunt” – and adding the land was “ripe for development”. 

This sparked a war of words with Cllr Walmsley at the time. 

Responding to the appeal, Mr Arnold believed the right decision had been made.

“It will be something we can do in Thornaby which will make the people of the town proud of what can be achieved,” he said.

“There are certain conditions which have to be met. 

“And we will make sure everything complies with what we’ve been asked.

“It’s a beautiful site overlooking the golf course and this will help protect the sports facilities as well.”

No fewer than 14 conditions will need to be met for the outline permission to stand – including a drainage scheme and an updated tree impact survey.

When it came to past criticism of the scheme, the former Thornaby FC manager said everyone had a right to their own opinion.

Mr Arnold added: “We’re all trying to do the best we can for the area.

“It’s always been mine and Steve Lister’s ambition to build something we can be proud of – and that’s what we’re hopefully going to do.”

Steven Longstaff, director of ELG planning, said: “We are delighted to secure the right result for our client following a long and difficult planning process. 

“The inspector’s decision puts beyond any doubt the suitability of the site for residential development.”