RESIDENTS have accused a council of “failing” their village after landowners began major earthworks without planning permission.

Mystery surrounds who is behind the work, which residents in Aislaby, near Yarm, noticed began to be carried out earlier this month on a stable block, half way along Aislaby Road between the village and playing fields used by Yarm School.

The stable block beside farmland on the rural lane had been sold in August and while it remains unknown who the new owners are, those living close by are becoming increasingly concerned the future of the land.

Stefan Houghton, Conservative ward councillor for Eaglescliffe, admitted he and residents had become “alarmed” about the speed of the development, with large amounts of already deposited on the edge of the land.

A Stockton Borough Council spokesman described the site as being in a state of “receiving attention”, but admitted it had “limited enforcement powers”.

A resident of Aislaby - which was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 - who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Every day that we drive past the site more and more work is being done and the piles of mud get higher.

“We keep asking questions, but no one is telling us what is going on.

“If people are allowed to do this – what is the point in having a council? They are failing us.”

Cllr Houghton said he would continue to urge the council to contact the landowners to find out what is happening on the site, as a land search does not reveal new owners for up to six months.

“Having visited the site a number of times, I am alarmed, along with many residents at the speed which this development has progressed, despite there being no planning application.

“The new landowner appears to be deliberately disregarding planning processes, which is disrespectful to the local council and the immediate community”.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “We are aware of the concerns raised and it is receiving attention.

“When we are investigating if an alleged breach has taken place we have limited enforcement powers, and over recent years, there has also been a relaxation of national development control policy.

"It is also important that the council uses its limited resources appropriately and in proportion.

“In this instance, officers are currently gathering facts and evidence as part of an investigation to establish who owns the land and to assess whether any potential breach of regulatory controls have taken place.”