THE developer behind a £10m country club development is about to withdraw from the scheme after a row with the council over a roundabout.

Thornaby businessman Tom Howson secured planning permission for the timber-built country club, leisure centre, restaurant and swimming pool on land off Leven Bank road, in Yarm, last year.

While he said he could not comment on his plans, it is understood that he has informed councillors and even Stockton South MP James Wharton that he was "about to withdraw" his investment.

He is understood to be aggrieved about a three-leg roundabout which is about to be built to access the US-style Mount Leven village for the over 55s on the other side of Leven Bank, believing his land has been accessed.

Mr Howson is also understood to have called for an investigation into the council's handling of the whole process, which he called a "mess".

He said the withdrawal of the application would lead to a loss of 150 jobs for young people, and would be an "enormous" financial loss to the local economy.

The scheme was due to include what was thought to be the country's most northerly first vineyard, as well as private allotments, an orchard and a leisure facility run by Tees Active, the not-for-profit company which runs Stockton Council's sports facilities.

The country club had the backing of Yarm Town Council, which said the closure of the Tall Trees Hotel meant there had not been a swimming pool in the Yarm area for years.

Mr Howson's threat to pull his development comes just two weeks after Mount Leven Village developers announced that work would begin on the £430,000 roundabout on Leven Bank on April 18.

There have been legal wrangles over the roundabout, safety concerns and other outstanding matters since Maher Developments first secured outline planning permission for the 332-home Mount Leven Village in 2013.

Jake Majid, of Maher, said earlier this month he wished Mr Howson "all the best" with his development, on the other side of the A1044.

Cllr Nigel Cooke, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “Mr Howson was granted outline planning permission for his country club development in June last year.

“He is required to provide suitable access to his development via a new roundabout on Leven Bank Road, which would also provide access to the nearby Mount Leven Village development.

“Mr Howson has entered into an agreement with the council for the construction of that roundabout and we are unaware of any other impediment to him commencing his country club.”