A PUBLIC meeting is to be held this week for residents to air their views on three controversial planning applications on a housing estate.

The Ingleby Barwick Independent Society (IBIS) is inviting people to speak up on the proposals at a meeting on Wednesday before councillors make a decision on their future.

A number of objections have already been lodged with Stockton Borough Council over plans by Mister Twister's to construct a large in and outdoor play area on the corner of Thornaby Road in Ingleby Barwick.

Mister Twister's, which has three similar centres around the North-East, hopes to build the large soft play centre, with creche and outdoor multi-use sports area, on green land between three wooded areas.

Residents fear wildlife in Thornaby Plantation, Thornaby Wood and Bassleton Wood will be severely damaged by the development, and believe it is more suited to an industrial area.

Some also believe the building will be too big, and that additional traffic will adversely affect the area.

Mr and Mrs Pearson, of Rothbury Close, Ingleby Barwick, said: "We are a housing development, not a business park. When will people be allowed to live in peace and comfort?"

But Neil Scott, business development manager for Mister Twister's, said many of the original concerns from the first application had been addressed.

He said: "In addition, a major additional landscaping and planting scheme will be undertaken.

"The wildlife corridor along Bassleton Beck will be retained; all previously suggested facilities in this area have been removed in favour of open space."

Stockton borough councillor David Harrington said IBIS wanted to hold the meeting to enable people to speak up on the application, but said residents might also wish to broach other issues.

And more than 130 letters of objection so far have been submitted against outline plans by Nunthorpe Nurseries to build a multi-use eco-park north of Blair Avenue.

The company hopes to build a private nursery, youth and community centre, badminton courts, climbing wall, medical village, health facility and gym in the first phase of the development.

This would be followed by office buildings in the second phase.

Resident Mark Lee, of Rowen Close, said about the eco-park: "The land is one of the few green spaces left on the already massively developed estate."

Plans for 17 self-build housing plots and the creation of a country park on land at Bettys Close Farm have also been submitted.

* The IBIS meeting will be held from 6pm to 7pm on Wednesday in the function room at Bannatynes health club in Myton Way.

Ingleby Barwick Parish Council will discuss the applications when it meets on Wednesday in the hall of St Francis of Assisi Church, in Barwick Way, from 7.15pm.