FRESH plans for almost 1,000 houses west of Stockton have been opposed by a new Teesside MP.

Housebuilding giants Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon lodged plans for 966 homes off Yarm Back Lane with Stockton Council in 2018.

But the detailed blueprints were only made public a few weeks ago – and have already attracted several misgivings over traffic at rush hour, school places and pollution.

Stockton South MP Matt Vickers has opposed the bid – claiming they are “substantially different” to the ones first put forward in 2018.

He added: “I’m very disappointed to see this planning application submitted.

“I’m extremely concerned about the impact on traffic, and I feel it is wrong to build so many houses in the green belt in an area that is already subject to huge amounts of pressure and congestion.

“The number of houses earmarked in this application is excessive.”

Planning documents show two and two-and-a-half storey homes are part of the proposals with junction improvements, three play areas, a “north to south cycleway” also lined up.

But the Conservative MP has also sounded concerns about the impact on congestion on Yarm Back Lane in a letter to Stockton Council.

The Hartburn councillor added: “Yarm Back Lane is at times a car park, with heavy traffic congestion.

“I do not see in the proposals a way that will address these very serious traffic concerns.”

A separate more detailed application is set to be lodged for a three-form primary school towards the northern end of Yarm Back Lane.

However, Mr Vickers also had doubts about capacity at secondary schools.

He added: “There is nothing within the current applications that demonstrates what steps have been taken to establish capacity at surrounding secondary schools, and whether they will be able to cope with the additional children.

“This application also fails to address how it will support community functions, like GP or medical practices, due to the increased demand such a development would create.”

More than 50 objection letters have been sent to Stockton Council so far over the plans.

Planning documents indicate the homes would be built in three phases – with Persimmon Homes starting at the north of the site and Taylor Wimpey building from the south.

Infrastructure improvements at the Elton Interchange, the Yarm Back Lane/Darlington Back Lane junction and four new access junctions from Yarm Back Lane have also been lined up.

Liberal Democrat councillors, David Minchella and Julia Cherrett, have not opposed the plans – but questioned the availability of GP services and parking.

A letter on behalf of Tees Valley CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) said GP surgeries were likely to benefit from “Section 106” deals between the council and developers.

“In this case, the increase in resident population should not have a material effect on the local GP surgeries and their abilities to provide care,” it added.

Homes have already been lined up on land west of Stockton.

The “West Stockton Sustainable Urban Extension” has allocated 2,150 homes on land off Harrowgate Lane and Yarm Back Lane as part of Stockton’s “local plan”.

This masterplan was approved at the start of 2019 – allocating land for more than 10,000 extra homes in the borough up to 2032.

A joint statement by Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes said: “The planning application has been submitted in line with the area’s local plan and will be subject to full public consultation.

“In respect of any comments raised during the planning process we will work collaboratively with the local authority and await the decision in due course.”

It is expected Stockton Council planning committee will have the final say over the application in the coming months.