An affordable housing development could fill a vacant plot in Stainton, Middlesbrough, on which a retirement complex for people with assisted living needs was previously refused.

Builders T Manners & Sons in partnership with the North Star Housing Group is proposing 24 two and three bedroomed new homes off Strait Lane, to also include three bungalows.

The proposal is still at the draft stage with a formal planning application being prepared and set to be submitted to Middlesbrough Council.

A planning consultant, Darlington-based ELG Planning, undertook a small-scale community consultation with local residents in the area which ended earlier this month.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The site in question off Strait Lane, Middlesbrough

In 2018 members of the council’s planning committee turned down an outline application by Angela Swift Developments to build apartments for older people wanting to live independently with support on the site which sits between the Montpellier Manor care home and the existing Rose Cottage housing development.

The matter was appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which later sided with the local authority and dismissed the appeal.

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Inspector Beverley Wilders said the proposed building would be bigger than both the care facility and nearby homes and a “dominant feature” which would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

She concluded that there would be a significant adverse effect on the living conditions of the occupiers of nearby properties with regards to privacy and outlook.

Darlington and Stockton Times: North Star Housing would manage 24 affordable homes on the land under the proposal Picture: EDWARDS ARCHITECTURE

Ownership of the land, which is allocated for residential development under the council’s Local Plan, is thought to have changed hands since.

Stainton ward councillor David Coupe said he felt the number of properties being proposed under the fresh plans was too many and parking along with access may also be an issue.

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He said: “They have permission to build something there, it could be rabbit hutches.

“But looking at it, it is a bit too much of an over development of the site.”

Councillor Coupe also said there were also no local amenities and whoever moved in would have to travel to visit shops, adding to congestion at the Strait Lane/Low Lane junction, which was “bad as it is”.

In a statement Sarah Fawcett, head of development at Thornaby-based North Star, said it would be working closely with the council to “deliver the best scheme we can”.

She said: “North Star Housing Group is a well respected housing association, based in the Tees Valley, with an aim of providing high quality affordable homes to meet needs and aspirations

“I can confirm that we are in discussions with local developer T Manners to work up a feasibility design which will then be discussed in detail with the local authority.

“At this time there is no confirmed proposal as early design work is underway, but if a scheme advances to a formal planning application all [relevant] information will become publicly available at that time.”