TEES Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has said he is against plans to build 350 homes in the shadow of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

But he said he had been “assured” that, while not ideal, it would not affect the future feasibility of the airport.

It emerged yesterday that the application by airport owners Peel Holdings, which included retail space and community facilities, would not be subject to a public inquiry after opponents had asked the decision to be called in by the secretary of state.

Mr Houchen said: “Let me be clear, I do not support this housing development and the application should not have proceeded.

“I called for the decision to be deferred until after the Mayoral election, but instead it was pushed through by the casting vote of the Labour planning committee chairman.”

He said the airport’s future was central to his campaign and his plans were unaffected by this decision.

Mr Houchen pledged to buy the airport and bring it back into public ownership .