Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Regeneration and the Director of Regeneration and Culture submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to set out the revised vision for the Stainsby scheme and to seek the approval to conduct consultation with the view of adopting the detailed masterplan as Design Guidance.

The development planned to provide:

·        over 40 hectares of additional green public open space with planting of 18,000 to 25,000 native trees and shrubs;

·        a commitment to the Council’s One Plant Living principles;

·        a new Country Park;

·        community amenities including play and sports provision; and,

·        housing within a landscaped setting.

The Stainsby scheme situated in West Middlesbrough had been allocated for housing in the Local Plan adopted in 2014. The 130 hectare site was designated for a minimum of 1,670 dwellings in a mixed and balanced residential community.

Stainsby North owned by Middlesbrough Council, known locally as Mandale Meadow, formed part of the overall Stainsby scheme and had been originally earmarked for circa 100 dwellings.

As part of the normal process of preparing the Stainsby North site for development, notice of intention to dispose of public space and notice of intention to appropriate open space for planning purposes was required. In response, objections to the development of housing, a spine road and the loss of green space had been received.

Following elections in May, a review of all Greenfield developments, including the Stainsby scheme, was conducted. In respect to the Council owned land at Stainsby North, it was proposed that the area would not be developed for housing.

A final draft of the masterplan was completed in November 2020 and was attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

Taking into account both the public and political views in relation to the scheme, it was proposed that the Stainton Way Western Extension (SWWE) had to proceed but the allocated housing at Stainsby North did not.

The new masterplan aimed to provide a vision of a sustainable, mixed and balanced community set within an outstanding and engaging landscape, which included the creation of a new Green Flag country park with the following features:

·        16ha of new native woodland creation;

·        planting c.18,000-25,000 native trees and shrubs;

·        1.6km of new species rich/native hedgerow;

·        planting c.16,000-24,000 hedging plants;

·        planting 100+ hedgerow trees;

·        planting c.800 ornamental street trees and parkland trees; and,

·        planting c.300 fruit trees as part of public orchards.

The masterplan enhanced and extended existing habitats, such as Blue Bell Beck, Mandale Meadow and West Plantation, and created a wide range of new habitats. Those would interact and flow throughout the development providing a seamless transition between the built environment and the countryside, facilitating the movement of wildlife and people.

Appendix 2 of the submitted report outlined the essential and desirable criteria that needed to be achieved within the Country Park.

A discussion ensued and Members highlighted the progress that had been made since the original proposals were put forward and agreed in early 2019. Specific reference was made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86