TWO new apartment blocks to house older people will be built near a primary school in Ingleby Barwick after plans were approved by councillors.

Forty retirement apartments will be built on land north of Myton Park Primary School, in Blair Avenue, near to the Roseville Nursing Home, in two blocks containing 16 one-bedroom flats and 24 two-bedroom flats.

Councillors on Stockton council's planning committee approved the scheme despite 17 objections being received, with concerns about an increase in traffic, impact on wildlife and the loss of green and open space.

Developers have agreed to transfer some land to the west of the site to form public open space for use by residents.

The site has had a history of numerous planning applications, from a children's nursery to an "Eco Park" which included a fitness centre, community centre, offices and a pub, before a more recent application for retirement apartments was approved, but none have come to fruition.

Councillor Ken Dixon, leader of the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society, "strongly opposed" the application as the site was always considered to be green wedge land.

He said: "The owner applied for planning permission for over 55s accommodation based on a specific need and was allowed on appeal.

"The flats would be built opposite a primary school and a secondary school who would be responsibly for any type of incident or accident at this location.

"The primary schools in Ingleby Barwick are full to capacity as are the secondary school with about 500 pupils being bussed to alternative schools daily.

"Blair Avenue is one of the busiest roads on the estate and additional traffic caused by this application would be detrimental to the health and safety of our children, the environment and the existing congestion."

One objection suggested that residents of the apartments should be "subject to sex offender register screening".

Others raised concerns about an increase in traffic on an already busy road which was being crossed by small children going to school, and the increase in congestion at peak times.

Another said the land had been an important recreational and wildlife habitat "before it was destroyed".

Council officers said: "The site is considered to be within a sustainable location and is one which could accommodate a higher density of development.

"The proposed offer of transferring land to the immediate west is considered to offer both visual benefits as well as some wider communal and recreational benefits to the community of Ingleby Barwick which weigh in its favour.

"It is considered that the proposed scheme is acceptable."

Councillors agreed and passed the scheme, with several conditions.