GOVERNMENT officials are investigating concerns that a leafy corner of Teesside is about to disappear under an "urban sprawl''.

For four years, Egglescliffe Parish Council has protested at a constant rash of planning applications to build apartment blocks in the area.

In a bid to protect greenfield sites, the Government has urged developers to build on derelict, disused locations.

The builders' response to new planning guidance - known as PPG3 - has been to demolish existing buildings and the grounds in which they stand, so creating a 'brownfield' site, and then rebuild.

Stockton South MP Dari Taylor said the cost to Eaglescliffe is the loss of fine Victorian and Edwardian houses and mature trees.

She has taken her constituents' case to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who has instructed Government officials to look at the situtation, which Egglescliffe Parish Council chairwoman Sue Ireland said now threatens the area's conservation area.

Mrs Taylor is contacting Mr Prescott's office today to see what progress his civil servants have made.

She said she feels "wretched" at what is taking place.

Mrs Taylor said: "A local authority has rights to protect their environment and to protect the architectural gems of the area.

"Stockton Council feels uncomfortable when these applications come in because, if they are minded to turn them down, they face a legal challenge, which is extremely costly.

"There is a problem here. Locally, we are supposed to be protecting our environment.

"A planning inspector comes in and decides in road and spatial terms there is no problem."

The Labour MP said: "I want to know if the council turns down a plan will the Government stand by them ?

"I want Stockton to be reassured that predatory planning applications can be turned down.

"There are plenty of real brownfield sites to choose from."

She said the parish council is powerless to stop the wave of applications.

Coun Sue Ireland said: "It's everywhere. As soon as you make comment on one application, there's another one in.

"I am so pleased Dari has taken this up, as for four years we have battered away on this and got nowhere.

"Everything is geared to the developer, legitimate objectors don't have a chance.

"Developers can appeal; we can't."