Concerns of ‘disaster zone’ at new homes site near Ingleby Barwick

But the developer has hit back urging “common sense” during the Covid pandemic.

Four homes have been lined up to be built on the banks of the River Leven, near Ingleby Barwick.

However, Stockton Council’s planning committee has heard frustrations from residents and councillors about the state of land at Leven Bank Mill – with one member labelling part of it a “disaster zone”. 

Crown Park Homes is building the residential park at Leven View – and the firm already has permission for four extra properties on a stretch land between Ingleby Barwick and Yarm. 

Wednesday’s planning committee voted on an application to amend conditions to allow building work to start before a stretch of nearby public open space was finished off. 

But councillors were told how work had started anyway – and there were wider misgivings about the state of the land.

Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris labelled the earthworks a “blot on the landscape”.

The independent member added: “I accept we’re starting to do some (council) enforcement now, but to be honest I really do share and understand the exasperation of the residents because it’s an absolute mess.”

A council planning report showed the wider site is subject to an ongoing enforcement investigation over concerns conditions are being breached. 

Conditions are attached to planning approvals to ensure landscaping, infrastructure and facilities are included on new developments. 

But they can be altered or amended at a later date. 

Council official Simon Grundy confirmed “quite serious” earthworks had taken place near the River Leven. 

Planning agent Louise Wood, on behalf of the applicant, told councillors they’d worked closely with the council – adding objections from residents related to the wider residential park at Leven View.

Ms Wood said: “We’ve been speaking to the applicants and they’ve said they are working with residents to ensure that site is completed to a satisfactory standard.”

The agent also confirmed the developer had agreed to stop work on the four home site after making it safe from landslips.

Mr Grundy told the committee the developer was “well aware of the requirements” of planning rules – and the planning department was satisfied the new conditions put forward would allow its teams to “retain control”. 

But Cllr Tony Riordan feared the developer was ignoring conditions and “taking the length”.

The Conservative group leader said: “They have now moved on and started to develop (it) without the open space being completed – and the council proposes to take enforcement action if they don’t comply with the next revised condition.

“It’s an absolute mess. 

“I’ve been visiting this site over a number of years – you can hear the exasperation of residents there.”

Cllr Paul Kirton said the site looked like a bomb had hit it. 

He added: “It’s a disaster zone – where are our enforcement people? 

“I feel sorry for the people that live there.”

Mr Grundy said he understood the concerns – adding the council was looking at talking to the developer about the landscaping of the wider site.

“We won’t be afraid to tell the applicant what he needs to do to put things right so we don’t serve a breach of condition notice,” he said. 

“If he doesn’t comply with those requirements, we will take action.”

The amended condition was eventually approved by eight votes to five. 

Cresswell Welch, from Crown Park Homes, hit back at the criticisms after the meeting – saying he’d invested £3m in the development and health and safety fences were up on the site.

Mr Welch said: “The world has been in lockdown for five or six months and the council has been the last to respond here.

“If it wasn’t for the Government saying all planning permissions will be deferred until next April, we’d be abolished.

“The Government has been kind enough to help out.”

Mr Welch urged the council to “show a bit more common sense” given the global effects of lockdown.

“The council needs to look at the end product not the beginning,” he added.