A PETITON has been launched to help residents fight against proposals to build houses at a country park.

Redcar MP Anna Turley is opposing Theakston Land's plans to 400 homes on land they own within Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park in Normanby, near Middlesbrough.

A public consultation held in the City Learning Centre in Teesville, enable local residents to inspect the proposed plans which the developer maintain will enhance the area.

The applicant, Theakston Land, says the proposed is low-grade farming land and part of the application will result in the country park being improved and extended.

But the MP has joined forces with Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillors for Normanby ward, Brian Dennis, Chris Foley-McCormack and Billy Ayre to fight the scheme.

She said: “Since the proposals were announced, many residents have told me how concerned they are about this development and the negative impact it will have on our beloved Eston Hills.

WThe land has never been part of any local plan or local development framework for our area and is incredibly close to the woodland in the existing countryside park. Due to its elevation, development here would not only take up green space but would be a visual blot of the landscape on the Northern fringe of the Eston Hills. Moreover, the A174 Parkway has been accepted as a natural barrier to development for many, many years and breaching this could open the floodgates for more development along the hillside down to Wilton Village.

"I am not completely against house building in our area because we need more affordable housing, but there are plenty of sites that could be developed that would not destroy our precious countryside.

"I have launched this petition with local councillors and the community so that we can demonstrate to the developers the strength of feeling on this.”

And ward councillor Brian Dennis said: “It is clear from the conversations I have had that this development is not wanted by the community. The site is not appropriate for housing development and would harm green space that is home to lots of wildlife, including deer.

"I urge everyone to sign the petition and to submit formal objections to the planning application when it is submitted in the coming weeks and months. We need to send a clear message to the developer that this scheme should be scrapped.”

The petition is available to sign online at www.anna4redcar.org.uk/saveflattslanecountrypark