A REPORT on a planned ‘free’ school for Ingleby Barwick has been sent to the local government minister.

A planning application to build the school and 350 houses at Little Maltby Farm in the Ingelby Barwick, near Stockton was rejected by Stockton Borough Council in February.

However, the decision was appealed and a public inquiry was conducted in May. The inspector’s report has now been delivered to Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local government.

Stockton council’s planning committee turned the application down, partly because it was on protected land. There is currently not thought to be enough infrastructure, including roads, for the ‘free’ school which would be out of local government control.

Fears have been raised that if the school was built along with roads and other infrastructure the area would then be ripe for applications to build up to 1,300 new homes.

However, James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said he hoped Mr Pickles would overturn the council decision.

He said: “This application is for a badly needed new secondary school and 350 houses only. I think a school and some houses is better than just houses and Ingleby Barwick badly needs a new secondary school.

“I would rather the 350 houses weren’t part of the package, but all the land is owned by developers and the council’s lack of support has meant this is our only chance to secure much needed secondary school places.

“I have made clear to Eric Pickles that I think this needs to go ahead.”