Middlesbrough residents to have their say on town's development

Middlesbrough Council's Local Plan will shape long-term development in the town

A six-week consultation giving people in Middlesbrough the chance to have their say on long-term plans for the town is under way.

Middlesbrough Council's draft Local Plan identifies areas deemed suitable for new housing, including proposed developments at Newham Hall, Nunthorpe Grange and Hemlington.

The authority says 400 new homes need to be built each year.

Drop-in events will be held and the consultation runs until 15 March.

The plan also includes a proposal to locate a new travellers site at Teessaurus Park off Riverside Park Road.

Almost 5,000 people have signed a petition against the plans to locate 14 pitches at the site.

The council said access to the River Tees and a wildlife site at the north of the park would be retained, with the dinosaurs either remaining at the site or being moved to "a suitable alternative space" in Middlesbrough.

'Right mix'

Councillor Theo Furness, executive member for regeneration, said the plan would give the council control over which parts of the town are developed and lay the ground for dealing with anyone who applies for permission to build.

"We're legally required to prepare a document covering a long-term period up until 2041 which allows us to ensure we have the right housing mix to support our residents as the make-up of the population continues to change," he said.

"It's also important to stress that development at any of the sites identified in the draft plan would still need to gain planning permission in the normal way and wouldn't necessarily all happen as soon as the plan is adopted."

People can access the draft document online or in person at Middlesbrough House Customer Centre or any council libraries and community hubs.

After this, a revised document will be produced with potential amendments before another six-week consultation is launched, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It will then be submitted to the Secretary of State and examined by an independent planning inspector. If approved, it would be adopted in May 2025.