PLANS to build a further 550 homes on fields near Ingleby Barwick have been dropped after the landowner withdrew his appeal.

Landowner Ian Snowdon's application to build the homes, close to the site of the new Free School, was rejected last April by Stockton Council.

He appealed against the rejection and a public planning inquiry was due to be held next Monday.

But Prism Planning, agents for Mr Snowdon, said they had withdrawn the appeal due to "confusion" surrounding a neighbouring 550-home development by Satnam, which was rejected by secretary of state for local government Eric Pickles last week, going against the advice of the planning inspector.

Steve Barker, of Prism, said: "Last week, Eric Pickles, in an unusual step, backed local Labour councillors against the advice of his own senior planning inspector and refused permission for the development of up to 550 homes on land adjacent to the proposed free school at Ingleby Barwick.

"His decision is seen as controversial because he disagreed fundamentally with the views of his senior planning inspector. Both Stockton Council officers and his planning inspector had said the site should be developed but Mr Pickles, who is understood never to have been to the site, disagreed."

It is understood that Satnam is putting together a High Court challenge to Mr Pickles' decision, but the company could not be contacted for comment tonight (MONDAY).

Mr Barker said of his client's application: "We will await the outcome of any legal challenge and consider where we go from there."

Ross Patterson, councillor for Ingleby Barwick, said he thought residents would welcome the fact Mr Snowdon's appeal had been withdrawn, and Mr Pickles' decision to reject Satnam's development. He said that two-thirds of residents surveyed had been against new homes being built near the Free School, and hundreds of people signed an online petition against the plans.

Stockton South MP James Wharton said: “Finally developers are getting the message. We do not want any more building on our green sites, too many are already planned and enough is enough.”

Louise Baldock, Labour's General Election candidate for Stockton South, who lives in Ingleby Barwick, said: "This is a welcome and pragmatic decision that will give local people some respite from this long battle to save our green wedge."