CONCERNS have been raised over plans to build 200 homes in a town which residents claim is already at “full capacity”.

Outline plans have been submitted for homes off Yarm’s Green Lane, which runs from Leven Bank along past Kirklevington Prison and Conyers School towards Yarm railway station.

The proposed site is east of the prison and a farm shop, which will be retained under the proposals.

Yarm has seen numerous housing developments in recent years, and residents have raised concerns that the latest plans will increase congestion, with the town already at “full capacity”.

A resident who lives on the estate opposite the site said: “Each development has added to traffic congestion, noise and pollution without any improvements to the highway infrastructure around the town.

“Each development turns Yarm from a once traditional small county market town into a large housing estate with no thought to the importance of green fields and farm land.

“This level of development without any infrastructure improvements is unsustainable – green fields have a place in rural towns.”

In his objection letter, Yarm Town Councillor Andrew Sherris said: “Residents need to be aware that the remainder of the site all the way along to Leven Bank Road is also option land, and that if successful, further applications will follow.

“Local infrastructure cannot cope with further traffic and there are few, if any, mitigation measures that can be taken.

“Whilst the ‘official’ figures show few accidents on Green Lane, those locals living nearby know that there are weekly shunts at this junction and there are also serious pollution issues at present with the volume of traffic in the High Street.”

A report by Sten Architecture on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey said: “Whilst at this outline stage the precise form of the development is reserved for future consideration, the key characteristics include up to 200 new homes incorporating a range of types and sizes.

“This planning application has demonstrated there would be no adverse impacts from the proposals that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits that the development could bring.

“These include the delivery of high-quality and much-needed affordable and older persons housing in an entirely sustainable location.”