Self-build homes plan rejected

COUNCILLORS DISAGREE WITH PLANNING OFFICERS

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter

A PLAN for people to build their own homes near a medieval village has been rejected after objectors lined up to voice their worries about it.

Stockton Council’s planning officers said the outline proposal for 11 self-build plots on a paddock near Manor Close, Wolviston should be approved, finding “no sustainable planning reasons’ to refuse it.

However councillors on the planning committee disagreed, went against their officers’ recommendation and refused the scheme.

Applicant ELG Planning said the “comfortably sized plots” for detached homes would support jobs for about 38 people.

But several residents spoke against it in a planning committee meeting.

John Parker spoke of traffic that would turn in and out near residents: “Lights will be shining directly into their living rooms. The road is not built for that, nobody could park their car outside their house.”

Paul Dalton said there was a conflict with the council’s Local Plan, which guides planning decisions, and spoke of Wolviston being “subsumed into Billingham” and the “green wedge being eroded”.

He said: “There's no guarantee of what will be built or when... Clearly the village of Wolviston cannot stand a lot of construction traffic through it.”

John Evans said: “The proposal constitutes overdevelopment, harming the established character of Wolviston as a village, places increased pressure on local infrastructure and sets a potentially damaging precedent. Allowing the development would cause lasting harm to the village. Approval would threaten the long-term character and community life of Wolviston.”