RESIDENTS have expressed "serious concerns" over plans to demolish a social club and build 20 homes.

The outline application, involving the former Stillington Social Club, off South Street, Stillington, goes before Stockton Borough Council's planning committee today (Wednesday, April 22).

A report by planning officers, who are recommending the application is approved, says: “The permission is required to contribute towards the provision of affordable housing, education places, off site public open space/recreation as well as a traffic-calming feature for the entrance into the village.

“The site is located on the edge of an established residential estate, within close proximity to the centre of Stillington... and therefore it does benefit from existing public transport connections and local facilities.”

However, concerns have been raised by the impact of extra traffic, the amount of development and the “unsustainable nature” of Stillington.

Stillington resident Stephen Fisher, who lives near the club, said he has “serious concerns” over the plans.

He said: “The proposed road access creates an extremely dangerous situation.

“The current access to the club car park has always been very dangerous and totally inaccessible during winter weather, even with the proposed new gradient cars will not get in or out of this development.”

Another local, Kevin Johnson claimed the development “will bring over-subscribing of houses” in the village, “impacting on the local services and amenities, such as doctors and schools which are currently over-stretched”.

Another resident, Sharon Turner agreed, said: “The whole village is in a state of over-development, we will not be a village.”

Stillington and Whitton Parish Council objected saying: “The Stillington Social Club has experienced flooding in recent years and the members of the parish council would hate to feel that people are tempted to live in a property in this area only to be faced with major problems in the years to come.”

But the Environment Agency has withdrawn a previous objection to the proposed development, as long as mitigation measures “are fully implemented prior to occupation” to reduce the risk of flooding to the new homes.