Concerns over Yarm becoming a “dumping ground” for homes have resurfaced after plans were lodged for a 255-home estate.
This week, Durham housebuilder VB Turnbull announced a bid to build a string of new homes on a field off Aislaby Road, just minutes from Yarm High Street.
The site, named Yarm View, would be located south-west of Eaglescliffe and feature a range of homes from two-bedroom to six-bedroom, with 20 per cent affordable housing.
And while plans are yet to be submitted to Stockton Council, Stockton West MP Matt Vickers has raised concerns over the news, branding it “completely unacceptable”.
He said: “This Labour-run Council continues to roll over for developers while local people are left to deal with the fallout — gridlocked roads, GP surgeries that can’t cope, and schools that are already full.
“We’ve seen thousands of houses built across our area, but next to no investment in the infrastructure needed to support them.
"People are rightly fed up. This proposal alongside the Taylor Wimpey proposals seem to be completely inappropriate for our area.
“It’s time the council stood up for local people, defended the character of our towns, and made clear that Yarm and Eaglescliffe are not a dumping ground for overdevelopment.”
As reported, this is the second new development in just weeks to be announced for the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area, the first being for 600 new homes off Green Lane.
The bid, which was recently submitted to the council, sparked a ‘Save Yarm’ campaign from residents to stop all housebuilding in the sprawling town, and was branded “utterly barmy”.
New homes could be ‘attractive extension to town’
VB Turnbull has described the new estate, which would be built on a 13.4 hectare field, as an “attractive extension to the town along with the creation of a new parkland accessible to existing and new residents”.
The consultation website describes how the estate will boast a “green corridor” with pockets of green spaces, pedestrian and cycle links, and low carbon energy buildings.
It will also have housing for older people to “serve all ages and needs within the community”, including bungalows and accessible homes.
VB Turnbull added that it would make contributions to education and health facilities in the local area and that Yarm View would create 775 new jobs, generate £282,365 in council tax, and bring £6.6 million of spending in local shops.
Members of the public have until August 12 to add their thoughts to the Aislaby public consultation, which will shape a future formal planning application.
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Official plans are expected to be lodged with the council in late summer and early autumn, and if approved, construction would begin in 2026.
A spokesperson for VB Turnbull said: "VB Turnbull are excited to be consulting on plans for up to 255 new homes to the west of Eaglescliffe.
"The proposals would deliver a range of new homes from two-bed to six-bed homes, including 20% affordable homes.
"This would provide more choice for families, older people and those seeking to get on the housing ladder.
"The proposals also include new cycle and pedestrian connections, road infrastructure, green spaces, landscaping and biodiversity net gain.
"The proposals will also include a financial contribution to expand local services and infrastructure.
"The on-line consultation runs to 12 August and feedback will help inform final proposals that will be submitted to Stockton Council.
The council is unable to comment at this time, as a formal application has not yet been submitted.
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