'Streets leading to nowhere' on planned new Yarm housing estate

Duchy Homes have outline planning permission, which was refused then allowed on appeal in 2021, for around 250 homes in Yarm. The company is now applying for consent with details of the plans’ layout, scale, appearance and landscaping.

The plan features “a new neighbourhood of 246 high-quality and sustainable dwellings” on a field near Green Lane and the A67. The developer wants to build two to five-bedroom properties on the 16.79-hectare site, with “excellent opportunities for the creation of a distinctive residential neighbourhood set within an attractive framework of open space and landscape”.

Duchy Homes say the plans will enhance the area’s profile and the home, road and landscaping designs would “add to the environmental quality of the site”, with a carefully considered layout of streets and an “imaginative and creative” design. It details 28 two-bedroom, 57 three-bedroom, 113 four-bedroom and 48 five-bedroom houses, including 50 affordable homes.

But the plans have sparked controversy over the last few years, with dozens of residents objecting to the original proposals submitted in 2018 and Stockton South MP Matt Vickers saying places like Yarm were being treated as “cash cows” at the time. So far, however, the latest plans have not attracted the same level of disagreement.

Two objectors have raised concerns about wildlife, landscaping, drainage, access, light and noise pollution, road improvements and air quality.

One objector wrote: “The mere fact that a planning inspector has ruled that a certain number of houses can be built on a site does not mean that it is practical or desirable to do so. In my submission it is not. The proposed development is too dense and the infrastructure proposed does not support it.”

A rendering of Duchy Homes' plan for 246 homes in Yarm

Another said there was “overdevelopment” of the site, commenting: “The local community objected but it went through… The question is when will the developments stop.I understand it must be a ‘cash cow’ for the council but it rejects any local voices.”

Kirklevington and Castle Leavington Parish Council neither objects nor supports the plan, but raises car parking, access, traffic and road issues. It insists on a series of actions being taken by Duchy Homes covering construction, access to the site, highways, vehicle movements and contribution to a safe walking and cycling route.

The council’s highways, transport and design manager has asked for changes to the layout and raised issues over parking and road width, saying they cannot support the proposals until the issues are resolved. The department also made comments about landscape and lack of information about managing flood risk.

The officers said trees were “hemmed in by properties” and commented on servicing areas including a substation and pumping stations: “The positions of these features must be reconsidered as these locations are too conspicuous.” They also suggest a “green corridor connection” with footpath and play areas.

Meanwhile, the place development team made comments about roads, green space, design and parking, saying the scheme would lead to “an overly car-dominated street scene”. They note: “At the current time there are excessive streets leading to nowhere which does not provide a connected street network and does not support active travel.

“The placement of the electric substation building at the edge of this green space should be reviewed as it negatively detracts from the street scene…The proposed locations of substations and utility buildings should be reconsidered to more discreet locations.”