RESIDENTS of West Green at Stokesley are upset by a proposed small housing development behind their properties, which are in a conservation area.

They have sent a strong and detailed letter to Mr Steve Quartermain, Hambleton director of planning and environmental services, with photographs and scaled drawings to support their objections.

A planning application for the houses is due to be considered shortly by members of Hambleton planning committee. The proposed plan is for the construction by Beauville Properties of four detached two-storey properties, with domestic garages or storage buildings, on land next to 35 North Road. This would be at the rear of 16-28 West Green.

The plan was recommended for refusal at the March meeting of Stokesley Parish Council.

Spokesman for the objectors, chemical engineer Mr Alan Redhouse, believes that their criticisms of the scheme are of importance not only to the residents of West Green. but to the entire town, and he has asked for the support of Mr William Hague MP, Mr John Grundy of Tyne-Tees TV, the parish and district councils and the Stokesley society.

He wants the current plan to be rejected, while putting forward alternative workable outline solutions, and says that he has no objection in principle to other residential development of the site.

The main objections are that the proposed plan is out of keeping with North Road properties on its south side, and with the newer houses and bungalows such as the Wimpey estate on the north side.

The scheme is inappropriate for enhancing the town centre and its surroundings, is not in keeping with the adjoining conservation area and listed buildings in West Green, and access from the proposed houses on to North Road is at the site of a busy pedestrian and vehicle junction which could have serious safety problems.

It is felt that the two-storey houses will also affect the view from a number of properties in West Green and in North Road.

However, the protesters are prepared to put forward their own suggestions. The fundamental issue that concerns them is that the roof line of any new house does not exceed 5.4m above the level of the garden of 12 West Green, which is next to the building plot, and that the existing high walls around the site should be replaced by walls, hedges or fences no higher than 1.3m. Only single-storey accommodation would therefore be acceptable.

Coun Caroline Seymour is supporting the objectors, and suggests that the Hambleton planning committee members should visit the site and hear the criticisms before taking a decision on the application.