Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, introductions were made and the Fire Evacuation Procedure explained.

The minutes of the Planning and Development Committee held on 3 July 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Development Control Manager submitted plans deposited as applications to develop land under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

24/0463/RES, Hemlington Grange Phase 3B & 4B, Middlesbrough, Reserved Matters application (Phase 3b and 4b)for the erection of 225 no. dwellings, landscaping, SUDs basins and associated infrastructure on application ref. M/FP/0082/16/P

Members were advised that permission was sought for the erection of 225 dwellings on the Hemlington Grange housing development site.

The site was located within the wider Hemlington Grange site which had outline consent for approximately 1200 dwellings.  The site was currently under construction with the majority of the approved dwellings complete.

This application sought reserved matters consent for the last two phases, phases 3b and 4b.

The Planning Officer stated that the site was allocated for housing in the Local Plan.  The application site was Phase 3b and 4b of the wider site which benefited from outline consent for residential development therefore the principal of residential dwellings on this site was deemed as acceptable.

Members were advised that it was considered that the proposed development would provide a good mix of dwelling types which were of a high-quality design and materials, in an attractive landscaped setting with an appropriate layout that would complement the earlier phases of the development.  The Planning Officer informed Members that the development would not result in a significant detrimental impact on the amenities of existing local residents and provided good sustainable transport links.

It was advised that following a consultation exercise a petition was received in objection to the development.  The petition was signed by 28 residents from 16 properties.  Further objections were received from residents from 9 properties including the lead petitioner. 

The Planning Officer confirmed that Stainton and Thornton Community Council and Stainton and Thornton Parish Council had been consulted on the application and had no objection to the principle of the development as the site fell within the Housing Local Plan adopted in 2014 as Policy H23 Hemlington Grange.

Concerns were raised regarding green corridors and sections of woodland being removed.  The Planning Officer confirmed that the masterplan approved as part of the hybrid application gave outline consent for the phases subject of this application and clearly identified the green corridors required in part g of the allocation policy.

The proposed development included the green corridors approved in the masterplan.  The masterplan also clearly identified the development parcels.  The area of woodland referred to was an area of self-seeded vegetation and trees that had grown in the development parcel, outside of the green corridors.

It was also raised that the accompanying paperwork for the meeting, committee report, page 2 stated that the proposed 225 dwellings included 36 three-storey three bed dwellings and 36 three-storey four bed dwellings.  The adopted Stainton and Thornton Neighbourhood Plan 2-21-2035 Policy ST8: Design Principles for New Residential Developments Part 1.5 be 2.5 storeys or less unless there was a clear design justification for developments in excess of two storeys.  The Planning Officer confirmed that in relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/20

The Development Control Manager submitted details of new planning applications that had been received on a weekly basis over the past month.  The purpose of this was to provide Members with the opportunity of viewing current live applications, which had yet to be considered by officers.

The Committee discussed the contents of the document.  The Development Control Manager advised that if Members felt that an application ought to be considered by the Committee, he should be advised accordingly.

In light of the legislative changes a Member queried how a property was identified as previously being used as a HMO.  The Development Control Manager advised that prior to 8 April 2025 visits could take place to see if a property was operating as a HMO.  Officers now had to rely on evidence such as Council Tax bills, tenancy agreements, photographs and rent adverts.

Agreed as follows:

·        Members noted the information provided

The Development Control Manager submitted details of planning applications which had been approved to date in accordance with the delegated authority granted to him at Minute 187 (29 September 1992).

Agreed as follows:

·       Members noted the information presented

The Development Control Manager provided an update on various Planning Appeals that had been considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

Agreed as follows:

·        Members noted the information provided

The Development Control Manager presented planning statistics for the period of April 2024-March 2025 to the committee.  The Development Control Manager advised the Committee that the statistics would be presented to Members in April each year.  The data included the number of planning applications received, applications determined, applications approved, and applications refused.  It also included data on planning appeals and enforcement action.

Agreed as follows:

·        Members noted the information presented

·        Data to be circulated to Members by the Democratic Services Officer