Councillors have given the green light to 51 new homes in Guisborough while praising the developer for its environmental efforts.

Developer Stonebridge Housing overcame a number of objections from local residents after having previously secured outline planning permission for a greenfield site off Nightingale Road, adjacent to the A171 Middlesbrough Road.

The plans incorporate six one bed homes, two two bed homes, eight three bed homes, 15 four bed homes and 20 five bed homes.

Members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee were only obliged to consider so-called reserved matters, elements such as appearance, landscaping, layout and scale in respect of the 51 properties.

The application was first considered by the committee in December, but deferred with no decision being made.

Councillors had asked about potential cycling routes and whether there was appropriate access in and out of the site.

They suggested additional traffic calming measures, while conditions were suggested to increase the number of solar panels and allow provision for a cycle path.

Hutton ward councillor Julie Clark spoke about increased traffic from the new development and a lack of infrastructure to enable schoolchildren to cross nearby Stokesley Road.

She said: “This road cannot take any more traffic as it currently stands. 

“There have been several near misses already with accidents for children trying to cross.”

Meanwhile, comments from the public on the application said additional traffic would have a “detrimental impact” on the existing Galley Hill estate, particularly along Nightingale Road, and pointed out there was only one entrance and exit.

But an assessment from the council’s development engineers said there had been no reported collisions on Nightingale Road, or at the junction with Stokesley Road.

It said while the proposals would increase the level of traffic generated by five per cent on Stokesley Road during peak periods, it would not have a material impact on the local highway network.

A planning officer's report, recommending approval, said highway matters and those relating to access were considered and approved at the outline stage.

There was no requirement to provide a new pedestrian crossing point on Stokesley Road, although this was something that would be considered in the future by the local highways authority.

It also said: “Although it is noted that a number of residents have raised concerns regarding the impact of additional traffic along Nightingale Road, the principle of development and the vehicular access point has already been established and cannot be reconsidered.”

After December’s meeting Stonebridge subsequently submitted amended plans in a bid to address a number of points.

It said it had widened the footpath to the site boundary to the east to accommodate a cycle lane and better connect the development to Guisborough town centre. 

Meanwhile, planned separation distances between existing and proposed properties were said to exceed council guidance.

The level of photovoltaic panels – solar panels – across the site had also been increased with all the homes containing such an element.

Steven Longstaff, a director of planning consultants ELG Planning, said this would provide 37 per cent of the energy demand new homeowners were expected to create.

Councillor Philip Thomson said the “positive” response from the applicant was welcomed and while he still had reservations about sustainability, he was happy to accept the plans.

The latest meeting debated the environmental impact of the housing scheme with committee chairman Dr Tristan Learoyd stating he wanted to minimise the use of gas on the site in order to heat the properties.

Cllr Learoyd said: “Thank you very much for coming back with extra solar panels, that is welcome and we appreciate you are under no obligation to do so.

“The cycle lane layout as well we are thankful for.

“You have obviously heard the sentiment today with regards to a carbon neutral borough and we look forward to working with you in the future to reach that goal.”

The report said the proposed layout and house types were acceptable and no issues were raised in terms of character and appearance, or neighbour amenity.

It added: “The internal layout, highway routes internal to the site and the parking provision is considered acceptable and therefore the application raises no issues in terms of highway safety.”