AN MP is fighting for robust protection to preserve Victorian and Edwardian architectural gems in her constituency.

Stockton South MP, Dari Taylor, met members of Egglescliffe Parish Council last Friday to discuss the preservation of the area.

Norman Douglas, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, and Steve Barker, Stockton Borough Council's head of environment and planning, also attended.

Mrs Taylor said: "I have worked very closely with the parish council, referencing its concerns about the area's preservation.

"This part of my constituency has beautiful Victorian and Edwardian architecture and there is a grave concern that policy planning guidelines are being used to replace this with high-density flats.

"It is crucial to get things right to protect the character of Egglescliffe and Eaglescliffe."

She said she had recently written to Planning Minister, Keith Hill, to express their concerns. "The minister's reply was very clear," she said. "His 2003 Planning for Housing statement emphasised that housing development has to be of the right type, in the right place and the right time.

"There's a phenomenal demand for new housing. Disused garages and proper brownfield sites are OK for flats, and there is a need to respond to some demands but protect others."

Mr Barker said that Stockton Council was developing a number of large schemes for brownfield sites in the borough, including the North Shore development, but smaller developers would still target the parish.

He said: "We are currently bringing in our own supplementary planning guidance for the borough.

"It goes some way to recognising and protecting open spaces.

"It can also ensure higher quality architecture which could lead to listed buildings in future years.

"Egglescliffe will never reach saturation point but the heat could also be taken out somewhat with the likes of the potential Tall Trees development."

Mrs Taylor said that she felt more robust protection for existing quality housing was needed and would write to arrange a meeting with One NorthEast and invite representatives to the area.

Coun Sue Ireland, Egglescliffe Parish Council chairman, said a working party had been formed to carry out research on buildings of historic interest.

Members would also look into commissioning a local university to draw up a formal list and report on interesting dwellings, and would contact Stockton Council's regeneration unit for financial assistance.

Coun Ireland said there was a need for an urgent review of the conservation areas with a view to linking up both Egglescliffe and Eaglescliffe with Preston parish.

Mr Barker said that the borough council's historic buildings officer was on sick leave until the summer but he would consider a review of the conservation area when she returned