A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build houses on protected green land has been refused.

The planning application to build 45 new homes on 'green wedge' land south of Cayton Drive in Thornaby was unanimously rejected by Stockton Borough Council's planning committee, against planning officers' advice.

However, property developer, Mandale Construction North is planning to appeal the decision which was made last week.

The houses would have been build on a site near Bassleton Beck Valley, but there was strong opposition in Thornaby with 161 people writing letters of objection, many arguing the would be detrimental to the wildlife, the area's beauty as well as causing increased traffic problems. It was also argued there was a poor highway lay out and not enough provision for affordable housing.

Thornaby Town Council objected on the grounds that the schools couldn't cope with more children and pointed out that the 'green wedge' land was within the protected Tees Heritage Park area. Friends of Tees Heritage Park also objected.

However, the council's own officers recommended approval saying there would be adequate access to the roads and the houses would not damage nearby trees. The developers could be made to contribute to education costs. The authority still has a problem because it can not show it will provide enough homes for projected increases in population.

The officers' report said: "In view of all these matters, it is considered that the application is in accordance with the Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework's presumption in favour of providing a five-year deliverable housing supply and supporting sustainable development."

A spokesman for England and Lyle, agents for the developer, said the decision would be appealed and costs would be sought against the council.