AN MP is to lead a campaign against a controversial planning application.

Redcar MP Vera Baird is leading the High Grange Campaign Group, which held its first meeting on Monday.

It was formed after more than 150 people attended a public meeting last week to discuss an appeal being made to the Secretary of State over controversial plans to build 111 homes on a greenfield site.

Geoff Collins applied to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to build the homes at High Grange Farm, Skippers Lane, in Normanby.

But his plans were rejected in May, so now he has taken his case to the Secretary of State.

Residents are concerned that the proposed site is a green area and that access from Skippers Lane would substantially increase traffic flow, which could be dangerous. They also fear house prices will be affected.

Councillor George Dunning said: "Although the traffic and road safety are the main concerns for residents, there is another new major worry.

"People are concerned in relation to a proposed planning application for 14 two-storey buildings at Bridge Court and Grosvenor Gardens in Normanby, which would increase the traffic flow substantially in this area."

He also said he had received a letter from developer Cecil M Yuill from Hartlepool, saying the firm was not behind the appeal to the Secretary of State over the application at High Grange Farm