Airport railway station bid and hundreds of new homes featured in this week’s planning round-up
2024 has started with a bang in the planning world - with housing plans and bids for an airport railway station taking centre stage this week.
From new developments to town centre revamps, we bring you updates every week[1] on the newest planning updates near you. Whether it is plans being lodged for a boutique hotel or the approval of a swathe of controversial homes, we kept readers up to date throughout 2023 on the ongoing developments across Teesside.
This year remains no different - and despite being only one week in, several plans have already been announced. This week, we've reported on a bid to create a "fit for purpose" railway at Teesside Airport and plans being lodged to build homes in Stockton, Ingleby Barwick, Hartlepool[2], and Yarm.
We've rounded up some of the best developments this week below:
Fresh study for 'Tees Tunnel' linking Hartlepool and Redcar on the cards
North Gare at Hartlepool looking towards Redcar (Image: Ian Cooper / Teesside Live)
A fresh £1m study into a 'Tees Tunnel' linking Redcar and Hartlepool is set to be launched in the next few weeks[3].
The two towns are a relatively short distance away from each other on opposite sides of the river - but motorists travelling between the two currently have to undertake a 45-minute drive. The idea would see work undertaken to examine the viability of a tunnel link under the River Tees for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and freight.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has floated about the plans for the study being considered by voting members of the Tees Valley Combined Authority later this month. He argued that a tunnel would slash travel times, ease pressure on the A689 and A19[4] and offer better access to jobs for those living north of the Tees.
Plans for 'very high quality and sustainable' 60 homes
Land west of Brenda Road, Hartlepool, where 60 homes are proposed (Image: Google)
Plans have been submitted for a 60-home development in Hartlepool[5].
The proposals include the demolition of the existing vehicle workshop and storage buildings off Brenda Road, with a new "very high quality and sustainable" development set to take its place on the land. The application, submitted by Sayser Developments Limited, would see a "mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced" properties in differing sizes.
A design and access statement from Pod architectural firm in support of the plans said the site is an ideal location for further housing growth in the borough. It said the site offers " good opportunities for the creation of a distinctive residential neighbourhood set within an attractive contextual setting of open space and landscape."
Objections filed against new homes plan off Yarm High Street
Yarm High Street (Image: Ian Cooper / Teesside Live)
Marian Construction has applied for planning permission to build seven homes on land west of The Granary, High Street, Yarm[6]. The vacant land is between Bentley Wynd and The Old Marke and architect Elle-May Simmonds from agent Logic Architecture says the 0.5 acre site will be developed to include a through route access road.
However, the plan for a terrace of five houses and two semi-detached bungalows[7] has drawn a string of objections. One objector said it would change "one of Yarm's few remaining ancient residential yards" from a quiet, area to a passageway or alleyway, exposing residents to risk of nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
A spokesman for Marian Developments responded: "We are very aware that this derelict site has attracted anti-social behaviour in the past which would be avoided if the site was developed to provide much-needed high-quality housing including two bungalows.
"We can confirm access will utilise two existing highway junctions with a pedestrian-only link to the high street. The top of the site already has planning permission for development but this scheme is for a more traditional design and is more sympathetic to the architectural style of terrace houses in Yarm."
'Fit-for-purpose' railway station plan at Teesside Airport
Teesside International Airport railway station
This week, plans were announced to build a new "fit-for-purpose" railway station at Teesside Airport[8].
The current station, which regularly features among the least used in the country in recent years, is "closed until further notice due to urgent repairs to the railway" according to National Rail. Now, a proposed investment of £20m is hoping to see a fully accessible station installed at the airport.
The announcement comes following the scrapping of the Northern leg of the HS2 rail line, which saw Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announce an additional £8.55 billion of funding to be provided through city region sustainable transport settlements (CRSTS). This saw the Tees Valley allocated a total of £978m of funding for CRSTS for years 2027/28 to 2031/32.
The project is part of Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen's Transport package, which will be taken to the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) cabinet for approval this month.
Pub set for 'extensive investment and refresh'
The Starting Gate, in Redcar (Image: Google)
Popular Redcar[9] pub The Starting Gate is set to receive an "extensive investment" from the Craft Union Pub Company. The pub chain, which is part of the Stonegate group, is transforming the site into a new concept with an "uplifting refresh" promised.
While exact details on the revamp[10] are still being kept under wraps, the Stonegate website explains that the pub is due to undergo a "massive six-figure refurbishment" and will host live music events once a month. The venue will close in its current form on Sunday, January 7, ahead of the overhaul.
The website also states that additional TVs will be installed, as well as full Sky and TNT Sports packages, at the West Dyke Road spot[11].
Plan for 576 homes across sites in Stockton and Ingleby Barwick
Cygnet Drive, Stockton (Image: Google)
Almost 600 new homes could be on the way across sites in Stockton and Ingleby Barwick[12].
Keepmoat Homes, with other developers, has lodged plans with Stockton Council[13] to build 319 homes in Ingleby Barwick[14] and 257 homes in Stockton[15].
In Stockton, the developer, with Banks Property Ltd, proposes to build 257 homes on a 6.77-hectare site in the Bowesfield area. It seeks to build on two parcels of land, one near Cygnet Drive, and the other near Kingfisher Way, with access and landscaping.
Meanwhile, the second plan, from Keepmoat with Strata Homes And Tivot Way Investments, proposes 319 homes on a 17.3-hectare site off Welwyn Road in Ingleby Barwick.
Developers say it will create 988 jobs directly and indirectly, as "one of the final stages of housing delivery" on an area allocated for more than 1,150 homes in the Local Plan, with 212 homes being built by Miller Homes and 120 more granted planning permission nearby.
Cheese company launches expansion bid
Tom Walker & Sons at Thorpe Leazes Lane, Thorpe Thewles (Image: Google)
A cheese company has launched a bid to expand its business with a new factory.
Tom Walker & Sons has lodged an application with Stockton Council[16] for planning permission to expand its facilities at Thorpe Leazes Farm. It hopes to build a two-storey factory with 66 car parking spaces.
Plans also include the demolition of four buildings at Thorpe Leazes Lane, Thorpe Thewles. The firm plans to take out temporary structures and add 42 parking bays and an HGV turning circle to the site. It is proposed to grow to a potential 24-hour operation preparing cheeses, confectionery, novelty packs and hampers.
Lightwater Valley glamping pod plan gets thumbs up
Skyrider ride at Lightwater Valley near Ripon, North Yorkshire (Image: Publicity Pic)
Plans to bring glamping pods to Lightwater Valley have been green-lit by North Yorkshire[17] Council. The popular theme park looks set to launch 31 pods in a woodland area of the Ripon site[18], with an existing disused coach car park also planned to be brought back into use.
The new application was for a variation on the already approved plans for 106-holiday units at the complex. These prpposals, which were approved in 2013, also included a reception unit, a housekeeping building, and the formation of outdoor courts.
Bosses asked to amend the plans for a northeast section of the site by changing the type of accommodation from single and timber lodges to an identical number of pods. While being smaller, the pods will sit within the footprint of each of the approved units.
Nunthorpe Grange housing plans back on the table
Nunthorpe councillor, Mieka Smiles and Executive member for regeneration, Cllr Theo Furness
Controversial plans to dispose of council-owned land at Nunthorpe Grange[19] for housing have been approved.
The proposed sale of 15.6 hectares was shelved by the previous administration of the council back in December 2022. But just one year later, the Executive of Middlesbrough Council[20] was told the project was back on the cards due to an increase in demand for housing and the local authority's "current financial situation".
This comes despite concerns over a perceived lack of supporting infrastructure. Nunthorpe[21] councillor and former deputy mayor Mieka Smiles said people in the area were still against any further housing development, saying the area has been "over-developed" for decades but that it has "not been with the relevant infrastructure that needs to come with it."
Executive members agreed to begin the disposal process and a refreshed masterplan will now be drawn up for the site.
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References
- ^ bring you updates every week (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hartlepool (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ launched in the next few weeks (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ 60-home development in Hartlepool (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Yarm (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ terrace of five houses and two semi-detached bungalows (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Teesside Airport (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Redcar (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ exact details on the revamp (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ West Dyke Road spot (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ across sites in Stockton and Ingleby Barwick (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stockton Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Ingleby Barwick (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Stockton (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ lodged an application with Stockton Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ North Yorkshire (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Ripon site (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ council-owned land at Nunthorpe Grange (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough Council (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Nunthorpe (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)