CAMPAIGNERS are hoping that council planners will take notice of more than 800 letters of objection submitted to them opposing plans for a huge housing development on land next to a country park.

A petition was also set up by Redcar MP Anna Turley when the planning application for 400 homes was submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

The site next to Flatts Lane Country Park, Normanby, between Middlesbrough and Guisborough, has been earmarked for development by Theakston Land.

However, the scheme has been strongly opposed by local residents and activists who maintain the development would have a devastating impact on wildlife as well as creating traffic problems and loss of green space.

Council planning officers are recommending that members of the authority’s Regulatory Committee refuse the application.

Craig Hornby, of The Friends of Eston Hills, has been an ardent opponent of the proposed scheme.

He said: “The fact that more than 800 individual letters of objection were submitted to the council shows the level of feeling in the area – I don’t know of anyone who supports the scheme.

“People are really upset about it, there has been a groundswell of opposition to the development. So many people have raised so many different objections that it must be almost impossible for the committee to approve the development.”

The report to go before councillors next week lists scores of concerns that were submitted to the council, ranging from the impact on wildlife to traffic gridlock and from impact on visitors to the country park to turning the area into a concrete jungle.

Christopher Harrison, managing director of Theakston Land, said: “Clearly we are disappointed with the officer recommendation. The proposed residential development is a well-considered scheme and the officer’s Report confirms that there are no technical reasons for refusal.

“Indeed, the development would deliver significant benefits including the provision of much needed housing to help the Council secure a five year housing land supply; delivery of 60 affordable homes; over £500,000 investment into Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park; improvements to Normanby crossroads; a new bus service for the area; over £1 million investment in to education and substantial economic benefits generated including construction jobs and increased household expenditure in the Borough. These are important considerations which positively weight in favour of the proposed development.

“We look forward to addressing members of the planning committee to further promote this fantastic opportunity to deliver both high quality market and affordable housing in a sustainable location close to the amenities of Normanby.”

The meeting takes place on Thursday at 10am in Redcar.