RESIDENTS have lost their fight to prevent planning permission being given for a development near their homes.

More than 400 people signed a petition and 19 others sent letters of protest at an application for permission to build on land behind Ormesby Bank in Ormesby.

But yesterday councillors on a site visit agreed to outline or preliminary permission to build bungalows on the land.

Protestors had complained the proposed development of an unspecified number of houses would result in a loss of peace and privacy, create traffic problems, add to drainage problems and destroy wildlife.

However, planners at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council recommended approval, arguing that any future scheme would not cause detriment to the area and was in line with the local plan. Councillors agreed to give permission on the condition that not more than eight bungalows are built, hedgerows are retained and drainage problems are dealt with