DETAILED plans for a huge 845 home housing estate have been revealed – sparking fears of gridlock once again.
Blueprints to build a vast estate on the former Ministry of Defence site, in Allens West, Eaglescliffe were first lodged in 2011.
Councillors gave an outline application for the homes off Durham Lane the nod in 2012.
But the masterplan, which included a shopping parade, a creche and extra community facilities, has been sitting dormant since then.
However, a “reserved matters” application has now been sent to Stockton Council, with details on 422 homes lined up for the southern end of the site.
The two, three and four-bedroom homes will be built by the Home Group, with planning documents revealing “mews style courts” off a main tree-lined road.
A bus route and proposals for a cycleway are part of the vision north of the railway line.
The original plans agreed in 2012 included a 60-bed care home and a small shopping parade on the new estate, with council reports indicating it would be “completed over a 13 to 17 year period” unless market conditions changed.
A “section 106 agreement” between the council and developers also lined up a cycle crossing at Allens West railway station, extra money for school places and a “half-hourly bus service” once 150 homes were built.
But the new plans state community and retail facilities “do not form part of the detailed proposals” – with developers pointing to Sainsbury’s Local, on Durham Lane, and links to other towns as serving the estate.
A planning report added: “Whilst included in the description of development on the outline application, these facilities are not considered necessary – and there is nothing in the outline planning approval which requires their provision within a detailed scheme.”
The original plans sparked 42 objections from residents at the time – with worries about increased traffic on Yarm and Eaglescliffe routes.
And these more detailed plans have seen similar concerns emerge in letters to the council.
One resident wrote: “This is absolutely ridiculous. The traffic in Eaglescliffe is already horrendous – no matter which way you enter or exit.
“This would mean approx an extra 1,690 cars. A bypass MUST be built to avoid Yarm.”
Another added: “We are greatly concerned about the increase in traffic at peak times both from the development towards Yarm and up towards the A66. “Considering that most dwellings will most likely have two vehicles, this will put even more pressure on the traffic problems which I’m sure you must be aware of. “School places must also be taken into account. “Most new estates have young families (and) children have to attend school – which schools in the area will have space for these children?”
Approval for homes on the site has already been agreed.
The land was also earmarked for housing in Stockton’s local plan blueprint agreed last year – which sets out where 10,000 homes will go in the borough up to 2032.
A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said the firm would look to start on remediation work on roads and sewers straight after a decision from the council.
“We are hoping for a decision Autumn this year,” he added.
“We have undertaken all necessary traffic assessments which have informed the design of the scheme.
“These assessments have been undertaken in conjunction with Stockton Council’s highways department – who will be reviewing the submitted data as part of the application process.”
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