PLANS to build 65 homes on fields in Ingleby Barwick have met with opposition from residents.

The application, by landowner Chris Morgan, is for outline planning permission for two, three, four and five-bedroom family homes to the west of Roundhill Avenue in the town.

But local councillors have objected to the proposed development, saying Ingleby Barwick's services are over-stretched and the road network saturated. More than 60 objections from residents have also been submitted.

The ten-acre site, which is near to White House Farm in Ingleby and overlooks the River Tees, is currently used by dog walkers and is "cherished by all the residents", said Councillor Ken Dixon, of the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society.

He has asked for a thorough environmental survey to be done of the site after claiming that protected Great Crested Newts had been spotted there.

Rod Hepplewhite, of planning agents Prism Planning, said that while ten acres would be built on, a further 20 would be gifted to the council for use as part of the Tees Heritage Park.

The Northern Echo understands that the outline permission is ahead of the landowner selling the land on to a developer.

Stockton Borough Council received the application in October and is still processing it, with a decision due soon.

Cllr Dixon said: "I as a ward councillor that covers this area strongly object to this proposed development and fully support the strong and overwhelming views and sentiments of my residents against such an incredulous attempt to develop this parcel of land for housing .

"It has always been used as a green wedge area for recreational purposes and is cherished as such by all the residents.

"If another 65 houses were developed on this site it would mean that there would be effectively an extra 100 or so cars using what are roads that are close to saturation point .

"I will again bring up the fundamental and extremely important issues that 65 extra houses will add to the strain on Ingleby Barwick's over-stretched services - 65 houses would mean an extra 15 – 20 children, we have no spare capacity in either our Primary School or Secondary School as we still have 600 children being bussed off the estate.

"It would mean at least 130 – 200 extra residents who would need Doctors and Dentists. Our practices are full to bursting with two-three week waiting lists."