RESIDENTS cheered as an application for a controversial housing development on Teesside was unanimously thrown out by councillors.

Local people were upset by a plan to build 111 homes on green wedge land at High Farm, Skippers Lane, Normanby.

They feared that access to the development would substantially increase traffic flow on Skippers Lane and pose a danger, especially to children.

They were also worried that the proposed area for building was green wedge and that any development would be contrary to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's policy.

Fifty-seven letters of objection and a petition of more than 50 signatures were received by the council following the initial consultation. They joined 56 letters and a petition of more than 200 names following the first amendments to the scheme and 21 letters as a result of the amendment proposed in February.

Council officers had recommended that councillors accept the application by Hartlepool builder Cecil M Yuill to build the homes and create a woodland area.

But to the delight of about 50 people who attended Wednesday's meeting, councillors voted unanimously to reject the project.

It follows several previous applications for housing development on the site.

Planning committee chairman Councillor Peter Spencer said: "We felt it was outside permitted development.

"Although officers recommended approval, they did say it was outside that development area and that fact was strong enough for us to refuse the development.

"I felt developers were looking for a precedent. If permission is given to them, they will use it again."

Normanby councillor Wendy Wall, who was against the development, said: "It is absolutely fantastic. I'm so pleased that the committee agrees with us."

Nigel Bell, land director for Yuill, said: "We are very disappointed by the council's decision because we felt this was a very worthwhile scheme.

"There was quite a lot of support for the proposal.

"We are considering our position at the moment."