THE fight is on to preserve the character of Egglescliffe.

Egglescliffe Parish Council says planning issues could change the face of the whole area - and not for the better.

They are backed by Stockton South MP Mrs Dari Taylor who says: "The character of the parish is vanishing before our eyes."

Stockton council, however, insists planning decisions are being made on proper grounds.

A seminar is being set up to explain the process to worried councils.

The parish council went into action after a spate of planning decisions. Members felt the term brownfield site was not being correctly interpreted. Councillors said the guidance was being applied to residential areas and could be a dangerous precedent.

There was particular concern over The Garth on Yarm Road - an Edwardian house which had fallen into disrepair.

A plan was submitted to turn it into 30 flats. This was refused, but a scheme for 25 flats eventually went through.

Another property nearby is now the subject of a similar bid to create flats.

"We were appalled," said council clerk Mrs Helen Rennison. "We found government legislation was actually encouraging this type of development, but there was no real guidance as to what a brownfield site should be.

"There was nothing in it to protect the heritage of the area unless it was in a conservation area, which this property was not.

"This parish has some fine, large, detached houses and we would hate to see this practice happening each time one comes on to the market."

The council asked Mrs Taylor to help get the guidance amended.

And there was more ammunition when planning minister Mr Nick Raynsford was quoted as saying the legislation was not intended to be the last word in planning consideration.

Councils should be taking more account of heritage and locality, he said.

"We want to see brownfield sites used but this legislation needs changing so it protects the character of an area," said Mrs Rennison.

Mrs Taylor said she had a serious interchange with Stockton planners. "I have been assured that the planning department is doing all it can to maintain the character and quality of the area. "But when houses fall into disrepair, it is deemed to be better to allow flats rather than the wrong type of activity.

"It's a distressing sign of the times and the council is right to make a stand." Stockton council's assistant planning director, Mr Barry Jackson, said he understood the parish council's concerns