COMMUNITY campaigners from Yarm and nearby Kirklevington have described putting up with four building sites at the same time as "like living in a war zone."

They also claim the four housing development companies building a combined total of more than 750 houses are regularly breaching planning conditions by working out of hours, spreading dangerous amounts of mud on the road and parking inappropriately near a school.

Peter Horner, who campaigned against the 350 homes being built at Morley Carr Farm in Yarm and Yarm parish councillors Sandra McLeavy and Lyn Casey, have complained to Stockton Borough Council saying the council is not enforcing the rules.

However, the authority has said in fact its officers have taken an active approach to the allegations.

Work has been going at Morley Carr Farm in the Yarm Parish Council area since September 2014. Since then two developments have been started near Green Lane, one for 92 houses and the other on an initial 148 houses of an eventual 340-home development. A

A fourth site is also operating at the former Tall Trees hotel and nightclub where 144 houses are initially being built, although there is permission for 330 homes.

Mr Horner said: "We have sent many emails on the subject of early starts, mud on the road, wagons parked in the Layfield estate in Yarm, uncovered wagons entering and leaving the site which is now compounded by the three sites along Green Lane, Leven Woods and Conyers Green.

"The amount of construction traffic now travelling along green lane from the Shell Garage is horrendous and how an accident has not happened is amazing: this must be classed as a traffic hazard."

And in a strongly worded letter to the council, Mr Horner said: "Why has Stockton Borough Council allowed four builders to built all at the same time and make the life of existing residents like living in a a war zone and then put our rates up? We believe we should get a rate rebate for having to up with all of the disruption and having to wash our cars nearby every day."

Stockton council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Nigel Cooke, said: “The Council takes any breaches of planning conditions very seriously.

“Since development commenced at this location we have worked pro-actively with the individual developers to minimise disruption to the existing residents. We have continued to monitor the developments on site and liaise closely with the developers to ensure that any issues or concerns that arise can be overcome. Any complaints received from the public have all been fully investigated and action taken where appropriate.”