A PLANNING inspector has heard how a proposed housing development would have changed the character of east Cleveland if it had been approved.

Taylor Wimpey has appealed against Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s regulatory committee’s decision to refuse its application for 130 homes on fields between Saltburn and Marske.

Members unanimously rejected the application on land south of Marske Road, Saltburn, at a meeting in January.

Taylor Wimpey has applied for permission to build the detached, semi-detached and terraced houses on the 14-acre site south of Marske Road.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, who was on the committee that refused the application, told the planning inquiry that members were under the impression that the authority had a five-year housing plan.

“I seconded the motion to refuse planning permission,” she said. “Members voted in favour of refusal for the reason that the proposed development was outside the limits to development and that after taking account of all the information submitted they did not feel that there was sufficient reasons to justify departure from the existing policy.”

She said the distinct boundary between Saltburn and Marske was important to the character of east Cleveland.

Explaining some of the reasoning behind the committee’s decision to refuse the application, she said: “The area of land between Saltburn and Marske which forms the strategic gap has a number of public highways and footpaths running through it.

“The highways and footpaths are enjoyed by local residents and horse riders from Saltburn Riding School. The proposed development would adversely impact on the long views from the north and south of the site on the public footpaths that members of the public currently enjoy.”

The inquiry is expected to last all week.