PLANS to build 130 homes on fields between Marske and Saltburn look set to be approved at a meeting next week - despite more than 200 objections.

Taylor Wimpey has applied for permission to build the detached, semi-detached and terraced houses on the 14-acre site south of Marske Road.

The company has asked for outline planning permission for the homes, which would be built on land to the east of Saltburn Riding School.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop has objected to the scheme, saying: "The proposal further erodes the accepted and long-standing green wedge between Saltburn and Marske.

"The proposal does, in my view, detract from the essentially rural aspect of the land that slopes to the south of the site and this impinges significantly on the natural countryside running up to the ridge from above the Skelton Beck Valley to the ridge above the Skelton Beck Valley and Errington Woods.

"Much of the land resembles in its make-up, natural pastureland, and the home to a significant variety of flora and fauna. This is a precious natural resource and should be protected."

He called for a site meeting for planning committee members to look at the site and hear the formal objections from residents.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, which will consider the application on January 8, has received 222 letters of objection.

But officers have recommended the scheme is approved by councillors, saying there is not enough of an impact on the gap between Saltburn and Marske to refuse permission.

Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council also objected to the plan, citing road safety issues and saying it would physically join two distinct towns and destroy the historical identity of two separate communities.

Ward councillor Tristan Learoyd said he felt there wasn't enough demand for a housing scheme which he felt would damage tourism, and therefore the local economy. Road safety and other infrastructure issues were also raised in the objections.

Planning officers said while the scheme would depart from the area's development plan, it was still within the boundaries of the government's National Planning Policy Framework.

They said it needed to approve more homes to meet its five year housing supply targets and the officers' report to the committee added: "The main objections raised are matters dealt with in the report. In respect of the other objections submitted none are considered to raise material planning considerations that would justify a refusal of planning permission."