A PLANNING inquiry could be held into a 159-home development on the outskirts of Eaglescliffe, near Stockton.

Residents fighting a number of developments in the Yarm and Eaglescliffe areas are now facing their latest battle.

Taylor Wimpey has lodged an appeal after it was refused planning permission to build 159 homes on green land at Urlay Nook in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, and has asked the planning inspector to hold a public inquiry into the development.

The planning inspector will now decide whether the public inquiry will go ahead.

The 159-homes would be the first phase of what could be 570 homes on the site.

Angela Ballantyne, chair of the campaign group Keep Eaglescliffe Special, said: “Feelings are running high with regards to inappropriate and over development of Stockton South. Eaglescliffe is already getting 843 new homes at Allens West. The area simply cannot cope with more housing, nor does anyone need or want more in this area of Stockton.

“There are insufficient primary and secondary school places in Eaglescliffe currently so what will the situation be with an additional 843 homes at Allens West and potentially a further 570 homes at Urlay Nook?

“There are no spare doctors and dentists places. How is this promoting a healthy community? It is certainly not creating a sustainable one.”

She also criticised the updated traffic surveys carried out by Stockton Borough Council on behalf of Taylor Wimpey,saying June and July were quieter months due to summer holidays.

She also said the A67 road had been closed the week previously, and the road closure signs were still up during the time of the traffic survey.

A Stockton Borough Council spokesman said: “Stockton Borough Council’s Planning Committee rejected this scheme.”

He said Taylor Wimpey had requested a public inquiry and the national Planning Inspectorate would now decide whether or not to hold one.

He added: “The council will publicise full details of the inquiry once they are known, as well as details of how people can send new representations to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration as part of the inquiry. The council will also forward all of the existing representations it has received in relation to this application to the Planning Inspectorate.”

Mrs Ballantyne said local residents could register with keepeaglescliffespecial@hotmail.co.uk or Keep Eaglescliffe Special on Facebook for further updates, and urged them to voice their concerns about the development to the Planning Inspectorate and to Stockton Borough Council.