Middlesbrough: ‘Slight’ changes to 139 new homes plans approved

Middlesbrough Council’s planning committee gave the thumbs up to changes proposed by Avant Homes – with 139 homes built on the old St David’s School site in Acklam, albeit with slight differences to layout.

The council’s case officer Andrew Glossop, explained to planning committee councillors, that the application before them was to vary a previously approved application submitted in 2020, but due to delays, has been approved in 2024.

Mr Glossop said residents in Cowley Road had voiced concerns about “construction traffic” going up and down their road – but the developer has confirmed there’s no intention to use that route for construction traffic.

He classed the changes as “very little”, adding: “What’s essentially happening is that each individual house type is slightly changing, so the position on the site slightly changes” and he highlighted differences in the position of driveways as an example.

He confirmed that the number of properties was remaining the same – 139 new homes are still set to come, but proposed plans show a reduced number of house types. Mr Glossop outlined the “plot by plot change” that was submitted by the applicant.

“What our officers have done is looked at every single plot, on a plot by plot basis, from what has been approved and what has been proposed”, he explained. “These sorts of changes have seen house type changes and a garage feature to the side of a property rather than in the garden.

“It’s not suddenly all becoming two beds or four/five beds, it’s still got the variety and mix. The original submission for these proposals, garnered a number of objections sufficient to bring to planning committee… we’ve worked to address those [objections].”

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James Johnson from Avant Homes North East then spoke to councillors.

He said: “There was a significant period of time between the original application and it being approved, in 2024.

"As a consequence, the majority of the previously approved house types are not able to meet the latest sustainable design and construction regulations required.” He set out that the updated proposals before councillors would be better for the environment.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans, as was recommended by council officers.