BARN buildings which were once the focus of a legal battle over an ex-steelworker’s vast collection of farm machinery are to be turned into an ‘eco-village’ for the over 55s.

Councillors have unanimously agreed plans for 20 sustainable flats on the Westfield Farm site at The Green, Dormanstown, near Redcar.

They will result in the demolition of derelict agricultural buildings dating back to the 19th century – from where John ‘Husky’ Petch was evicted in 2014 following enforcement action by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Mr Petch had begun sleeping at the council-owned compound which he used to store a mammoth collection of old farm machinery he had amassed over the years.

The council said he had illegally occupied the site for some time – a period which also saw him stage a ‘sit-in’ with supporters – and later removed the machinery collection.

The barn buildings have since fallen into disrepair, are said to be at risk of collapse, and have also attracted anti-social behaviour in recent years.

A Grade II listed 18th century barn on the site will however remain and be converted into an office/energy centre after listed building consent for the works were granted.

Objectors  to the plans, which have been revised a number of times, raised concerns about the impact on parking in the area.

But planning officers, who had recommended approval, said the level of provision was acceptable with 29 parking spaces being proposed.

There were also numerous bus stops nearby, an existing access road and the development would be within walking distance of local facilities.

The plans have been put forward by the Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA), a registered charity which supports and promotes the voluntary and community sector in the area.

In May it was reported that the local council was undertaking a community asset transfer which would see RCVDA take control of the land if certain conditions were met.

RCVDA chief executive officer Mike Milen told a council planning committee meeting the development was being funded by a grant from the organisation Homes England, along with £1m of borrowing.

He said: “For us this is the start of a number of housing developments which will have a very high eco content and focus on the social element of living.

“There will be one of two members of staff on site that work to support the residents to support each other.

“There are a lot of people whose desire is to stay active as long as they can, rather than be cared for and that is the market niche we are looking for.”

The modular-built flats, which will overlook a courtyard with green spaces, will be constructed at a factory off-site.

They will be transported to the farm site and have a ‘skin’ placed around them – thus resembling conventionally built properties.

The energy centre will contain solar panelling which will cut the cost of lighting and heating in the flats.

Up to two electric cars will also be made available for the residents to borrow should they need transport, as part of a car share scheme.

Councillor Alec Brown, the ward councillor for Dormanstown, who commented on the proposals, but did not take part in the vote, said:  “There is a burning desire to do something with the site – it is an eyesore and it does attract anti-social behaviour.

“But there are infrastructure issues and that largely concerns parking.”

Cllr Brown said he was frequently receiving complaints about parking in the area and feared there would be a knock on effect – or “overflow” – into residents’ parking spaces adjacent to the site.

But Councillor Cliff Foggo said he didn’t think local parking problems would be exacerbated by the development.

Councillor Neil Baldwin described the plans as “something special” and said they would add to the area.

Councillor Stuart Smith, who is chairman of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee, said: “I know personally how frustrating parking issues can be, but this is a golden opportunity for a superb eco-village in a brownfield site and a sustainable location.”

Tim Brown, a conservation officer with the council, said: “Overall it is considered that redevelopment proposals are necessary to address long standing issues of decay and to ensure preservation of the unoccupied and increasingly derelict 18th century barn.”