Tiviot Way Investments application for 550 houses on land at Little Maltby Farm, Low Lane, was refused by Stockton Council in February
Developers have appealed against a decision stopping them from building 550 houses.
The controversial plans for 550 homes and associated infrastructure at the Little Maltby Farm scheme, near Low Lane in Ingleby Barwick, were unanimously rejected by Stockton Council’s planning committee in February.
Jersey-based Tiviot Way Investments have now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
But James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, asking him to “recover the appeal” - which would see the Minister make a final decision on the plan.
Mr Wharton said: “I do not support or want to see any additional houses on this site. In recent years, Stockton Council have approved far too many applications in the south of the borough.
“I will do everything I can to support residents who are opposed to any more housing in Ingleby Barwick.
“It is vitally important that Stockton Council fight this application with everything they have got.”
Mr Wharton believes that, by asking the Secretary of State to recover the appeal, it provides another opportunity for opponents to impose their points and fight the plans.
Mr Pickles last year overturned Stockton Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a free school and 350 homes on the site.
Council leader Bob Cook said: “As we predicted all along, Eric Pickles’ approval of the free school in Ingleby Barwick all but paved the way for further development and has been swiftly followed by applications from developers to build around 1,000 homes nearby.
“The Government stands to receive financial contributions from any homes that are built around the school but we will firmly contest the appeal and I hope that Mr Pickles finds in our favour.”
Labour’s candidate for Stockton South, Louise Baldock, said: “Ingleby Barwick is creaking at the seams.
“Ever since Mr Pickles approved the application for a free school and the first 350 houses, we have been inundated with plans to build an ever increasing number on these green fields. The Government needs to make the right decision this time.”
Tiviot Way Investments had said in their application that the proposals would boost the supply of housing and affordable housing and contribute to achieving economic growth through investment and job creation.
However, in February this year, the council’s planning committee voted 13-0 to refuse the plans, citing highway, archaeological and green wedge concerns as reasons.
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