CAMPAIGNERS fighting against plans to build an executive housing estate on green belt land have been assured that it is not a done deal.

Residents from Nunthorpe handed over a 3,000-name petition to Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon, who assured them all voices will be heard in the planning debate.

David Wilson Homes, part of the Barratt Group, wants to build 295 executive homes at Grey Towers Farm, a working farm stretching from Brass Castle Lane to the Poole Estate, in Nunthorpe.

The campaigners fear the development will worsen rush hour traffic on the A172.

After receiving the petition, MrMallon said: "I can assure people that this planning application is not a done deal, which some people think it is.

I have reservations about this development, particularly where traffic congestion is concerned, but I will keep an open mind."

Campaigner Nick Hill said: "Developers are like leeches, very often you don't know they've crept up on you until after they've bled you dry.

"Marton, Ormesby, Linthorpe, Stainton, are all villages of the past. While Newby, Stainton, Thornton and Nunthorpe, are all that is left - but for how long."

Campaigner Mike Smith added: "Nunthorpe is a community people aspire to join.

"We need tomaintain its aspirational nature and character, which means ensuring that growth is appropriate.

"Our argument is that this proposal is just not appropriate."

Janet Davison, also a campaigner, said: "To allow such a beautiful and natural piece of countryside to be turned into a housing estate is a travesty. Builders wanting to ruin our local area must be challenged and stopped."

However, a report carried out by Nathaniel Litchfield and Partners, on behalf of three development companies including David Wilson Homes, wanting to build in the Middlesbrough area, maintains there will be money made available for road improvements.

The report accompanies planning applications submitted to Middlesbrough Council for new homes at Brookfield, Nunthorpe and Stainton.

It says the schemes would generate 755 homes, 4,500 jobs, including 500 for young people and 52 apprenticeships, £5m investment in transport improvements and £1m for local schools and sports facilities.