An affordable homes scheme planned on the outskirts of Middlesbrough has been ditched and is set to be replaced by new bungalows instead.
Housing association North Star Housing Group received planning permission from Middlesbrough Council last year for 22 homes on former agricultural land in Strait Lane, Stainton.
This was despite objections from Stainton and Thornton Parish Council, along with nearby residents on the Rose Cottage housing development and an adjacent care home, Montpellier Manor.
However the scheme is no longer going ahead with an application set to be submitted instead to the local planning authority for 15 two to four bedroom bungalows by Eaglescliffe-based developer Wilson Homes.
Sarah Fawcett, head of development at North Star, said it still had a “viable scheme”, but the landowner had chosen to sell to someone else.
She said: “We wanted to proceed with our proposals but now are unable to, unless at some stage they reconsider.”
The latest plans represent the third effort to build homes on the vacant plot of land after an outline application back in 2018 to build assisted living flats for older people was rejected by councillors.
An appeal over the decision was later dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Stainton ward councillor David Coupe said the about-turn was a “bit strange”, but likely a commercial decision.
He said there remained complications in the background in terms of local objections to housing on the land, which provides a green buffer between the care home and one half of the Rose Cottage housing development sitting behind it.
Cllr Coupe said: “I am a little surprised that after all the effort put in it [the North Star scheme] is not going to go ahead.”
Concerns previously raised included access via the same entrance off Strait Lane used by the care home, parking and potential congestion, the scale and density of the North Star development, overlooking and potential flooding risks.
Comment by Wilson Homes
In a letter to residents, Steve Wilson, of Wilson Homes, said it was aiming to submit its planning application to the council next month.
He said: “Wilson Homes are a private development company building bespoke tailored properties to the highest standards.
“We take pride in creating fantastic high quality homes in our local area.
“We are a local family run company who work with local communities during every development.”
Posting on Facebook, some local residents suggested bungalows were a “much better proposal”.
One said: “Bungalows are massively needed in the town.”
Another comment said: “I back onto this field and would definitely prefer bungalows to houses.
“They are going to keep going until they get something.”
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