Revised housing plans fail to halt build objections
A REVISED application to build new affordable housing in a village on the outskirts of Middlesbrough is facing further opposition.
Last year builders T Manners & Sons, in partnership with the North Star Housing Group, submitted plans for 24 two and three-bedroomed new homes on a vacant plot in Strait Lane, Stainton, to also include three bungalows.
The latest proposal submitted to Middlesbrough Council now seeks 22 new homes, instead of the previous 24, but has already resulted in more than two dozen comments from neighbours objecting.
Residents, some of whom have complained about potential overlooking, have until Wednesday, April 24, to comment. The site in question is sandwiched between the Montpellier Manor care home, which also fronts onto Low Lane, and the existing Rose Cottage housing development.
In its response, Stainton and Thornton Parish Council said it was felt that the overall design, whilst “well meaning” to provide affordable housing, is an overdevelopment of the site.
It said despite a reduction in the number of homes being proposed there was still insufficient off-road parking.
The council said: “Visitors to the properties will be forced to park on the road resulting in congestion and difficult access for service and emergency vehicles, or worse still end up parking [at] the adjacent Montpellier Manor care home, something that is totally unacceptable.”
It said the scale and density of the development was not in keeping with properties in the immediate vicinity.
Meanwhile a concern about potential flooding was also raised: “Because of the topography, the site is at the bottom of a slope and the underlying strata is clay, we feel that there has been insufficient investigation/approvals given as to how the development will link in to the existing foul water drainage and surface water drainage systems.”
Montpellier Manor, operated by charity care provider the Methodist Homes Association (MHA), has also lengthily objected on several grounds.
It said in its response: “MHA provides care including dementia care to approximately 85 residents at Montpellier Manor. We also have a significant staffing level with people arriving and leaving 24 hours a day through the same entrance it is proposed the houses in the development use. MHA’s car park is regularly full and we often have ambulances in attendance. It is busy now, what will it become when construction works are under way and then afterwards when the houses are built, if consent is given?
“Construction and development of this site will negatively impact MHA’s operation as well as the quiet enjoyment and the wellbeing of our residents, staff, and visitors.”
It added: “We do not find that there is anything material as a change or improvement in the substituted plans, or anything that would serve to allay our concerns.”