A FIVE day public inquiry will be held as developers aim to overturn the refusal of a controversial 300 home estate.

Theakston Estates saw its effort to secure permission for homes south of Green Lane, Yarm, turned down in June over fears they’d create congestion and queuing on surrounding roads.

But the developer has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn the decision – with public hearings to be held in November. 

Council officials ruled traffic from the new homes near Yarm railway station would increase tailbacks on surrounding routes and hit wider safety in the area.

Planners also believed the off site works to widen Leven Road would also harm its character and have an “unacceptable impact”. 

The application was originally lodged to Stockton Council in 2018.

Road widening to create two exit lanes onto the A67 and a new “priority junction” on Thirsk Road were part of the plans to ease congestion created by the new estate. 

However, worry over how Yarm’s network would cope was a concern which cropped up repeatedly in the 300 objections from worried residents. 

Part of the stretch already has approval for 100 homes after permission was granted in 2016. 

Appeal documents from Theakston argue the wider site has already been allocated for homes with a new estate to the west of the railway line – and the new 300 homes offering a wider mix of two, three, four and five bedroom properties. 

They also show the developer believes the proposed works at Leven Road would not pose a safety issue – nor would they bring “unacceptable impact” to the area.

The document added: “It will also be demonstrated that the council’s position cannot be maintained in the long term as in doing so it is likely to permanently prevent any further growth in Yarm which is identified as one of seven “main “settlements” in the borough. 

“Notwithstanding this, it will also be demonstrated that any level of perceived harm as a result of the works on Leven Road will be outweighed by the significant benefits that would be realised by allowing the appeal.”

Cllr Andrew Sherris, independent member for Yarm, expected the developer’s appeal to generate a lot of interest in the area.

He was firmly against the plans. 

Cllr Sherris said: “It is an application that is not wanted and not only offers no advantage to the area but will also cause significant damage to the appearance and ambience of Leven Road which forms the kingpin to the developer’s traffic mitigation plan.

“I look forward to seeing how certain local politicians react in the face of the Government’s planning policy and of course the appointed government inspector.

“Let’s hope it is not another Kirklevington application rubber stamped by an inspector.”

Cllr Dan Fagan, Conservative member for Yarm, said he was completely in favour of the council rejecting the application.

“I think almost everyone in Yarm would say the same thing,” he added.

“Approval was given a number of years ago for 100 homes and those form part of a number homes in that area of Yarm yet to be built.

“They will only add to the congestion people are already facing.

“Putting 300 homes on it is out of order – it’s madness really and we’d welcome a public inquiry in some respects as it would allow the voters and residents of Yarm who feel strongly about it to get their opinions across.”

Cllr Fagan also wanted to see a review of Stockton Council’s “forward plan” when it came to housing.

Public hearings are due to begin on November 15. 

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