Fears over plans for homes next to forest trail
TVCAPlans to build homes next to a forest have been met with concerns over the impact on wildlife and the tranquillity of the site.
TCC Land Limited and Joillie Hollies Company Limited have applied to Redcar and Cleveland Council to build 117 homes on a 12 hectare site off Stokesley Road, Guisborough.
The Friends of Guisborough Forest and Walkway said the site was "one of the very few remaining" recreational facilities in the town and people would not visit it to see a housing estate.
Planning documents submitted by the developers said the homes would only be partially visible from Stokesley Road and "substantially screened in views from Guisborough Forest".
In an objection letter to the Labour-led authority, Friends of Guisborough Forest and Walkway said the area closer to the visitor centre was being developed to create a "mindfulness trail", with Tai Chi and yoga sessions.
"The ethos is to allow access to a tranquil area of natural environment and not to try to relax to the sight, sound and dust created by a construction site," the letter said.
The group added they were concerned about how the construction site would affect the wildlife, which included grey herons, white egrets, kingfishers, owls and bats.
A petition was also set up by former Guisborough town councillor James Bunn, attracting about 500 signatures, reports the Local Democracy Reporting service.
Bunn said the area's roads were already under pressure and heavily congested at times, while Guisborough did not have enough schools and doctors' surgeries for the growing population.
"Residents of Guisborough are sick and tired of being a dumping ground for new homes," Bunn said.
Google/LDRSPlanning documents said the proposed site formed a small part of the setting of Guisborough Forest and the North York Moors National Park.
Those behind the plans said Guisborough had significantly expanded along and across the boundary of the national park without causing harm to it.
"From that, it would be reasonable to assume that the setting of the national park is not especially sensitive to new housing development in this general location," they said.
The 12 hectare site is currently used for horse grazing and vegetation bordering the site would be "generally retained and enhanced", the applicants said.
They acknowledged the boundary of the housing site would be within about 130ft (40m) of the forest walkway and the development may increase the recreational impact on it.
A consultation on the plans is open until 20 February.
