MORE objections have been voiced over a proposed housing development in Stockton.

Thousands of signatures have already been handed to the borough council opposing plans to build 150 houses, offices, e-commerce centres, call centres, a hotel, health club and sailing centre near the River Tees, in Bowesfield.

The site is next to the Three Holmes winter wildfowl wetlands site.

Now, both Thornaby Town Council and Stockton councillor Suzanne Fletcher have spoken out about the development.

Coun Fletcher said: "One hundred and fifty houses is not enough to be a new community. They will have to have cars to take children to and from school, travel to work, doctors, shops and for every other community facility they want to use.

"How often is a local beat officer going to be able to walk all the way down there to have a look round and make their presence felt?

"Where would people meet if they wanted to start a toddler club, or Neighbourhood Watch?

"There will be nothing but problems for people moving in there, which will not become apparent until they have started to meet these issues."

Coun Fletcher also called for the wetland site to be protected, claiming it would not survive being so close to a residential area.

She said: "We just cannot afford to lose such a valuable site for local wildlife and birds, and it must be properly protected."

Thornaby council has complained about the development being on a green wedge area and is in consultation with the regional planning authority to try to get more areas of Teesside recognised as official green belt, which can be more easily protected than green wedge sites.

Stockton Borough Council will decide on the application, by Banks Developers, in the coming weeks.