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A developer has applied for planning permission to build 248 homes - despite hundreds of residents saying they see no need for new housing. VW Turnbull has formally asked for consent from Stockton Council for the homes, which it says will bring 305 full-time jobs in a five-year construction period and £2.9m spending in shops and services.

But its own data showed people were overwhelmingly against the plans after it sent about 730 leaflets to homes and businesses, and 554 people sent back questionnaires. The results showed 87% of respondents strongly disagreed that there was a need for new housing, 82% strongly disagreed that a mix of two to six-bedroom houses and bungalows was appropriate for the area, and 89% strongly disagreed that the proposed layout was appropriate. In all cases, less than 10% agreed.

Planning consultancy Lichfields wrote in a "statement of community involvement" on Stockton Council's planning portal: "Overall, the findings from the public consultation exercise carried out by the applicant show there is opposition to additional housing in the Eaglescliffe area, however this was centred around the above specific issues which can be addressed through the planning application."

The developer wants to build 248 homes with car parking, open spaces and landscaping on a field near Aislaby Road and Nelly Burdon's Beck. It describes the development as "an attractive extension to Eaglescliffe, along with the creation of a new parkland accessible to existing and new residents" in a planning statement.

The plans include 20% affordable homes "to enable local families to find suitable accommodation and gain a first step on the housing ladder", with 20 two-bedroom bungalows accessible for wheelchair users, and 20 accessible and adaptable three-bedroom houses. They propose a new access point on Aislaby Road, a pedestrian route, cycle links and a park and ride bus stop, with "improved connectivity" to the town centre and "open space for leisure and recreation".

'Suitable and logical'

The developer argues the site "represents a suitable and logical location for residential development", helping to meet housing targets. It says the homes will "not result in significant landscape and visual effects in the long term", will not harm ecology or cause flood risk, traffic "can be satisfactorily accommodated" on the roads, noise can be kept to appropriate levels and air quality effects are "not considered to be significant". It says the plans will bring social, environmental and economic benefits.

Responding to residents' comments, it says the plans include a travel plan to "reduce the dependency on use of the private car" and encourage "active, healthy and sustainable travel choices" like walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport. It says extra traffic is "unlikely to have a severe impact" on the roads.

It refers to a government directive that a significant national housing crisis "must be addressed now". It says the proposals will help meet a "clear and urgent need for new housing within Stockton".

It adds the impact on services like education and healthcare will be assessed by the council and where there is a shortfall, it will discuss financial contributions with the authority. It refers to an ecological appraisal saying it is not likely to have significant adverse effects, a "landscape buffer" between homes and Nell's Burdon Beck, a construction and environment management plan to manage risks, new foot and public transport connections, and homes carefully designed not to enter certain flood zones.

The statement concludes: "The public consultation exercise identified that the local community and other interested parties generally oppose the proposed development, with transport and highways considerations, the need for additional housing, and the impact on local services identified as the key planning themes associated with the proposal. This statement has set out the applicant's response to such matters, including other relevant queries, demonstrating that all topic areas can be suitably addressed and mitigated against through the planning application process."

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Developer says 248 homes plan will bring 305 jobs - but residents disagree