Industrial units approved despite objections

Plans for new units on an industrial estate have been approved despite environmental concerns.

Stockton Council gave planning permission to North East Property Partnerships Ltd to build the units for office, industrial, storage or distribution use near Fleck Way at Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby.

Objections from an ecology expert and environmental campaigners revealed concerns about the loss of biodiversity and the potential for rare lowland meadows at the site.

Botanical specialist Joshua Styles, project coordinator of the North-west Rare Plant Initiative, suggested a survey to determine whether the meadows, which he said may qualify as "irreplaceable habitats", were present.

However council officers said the species were "not considered to meet the full characteristics" of the historic meadows, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A report said the application was for a 3.7-hectare plot of land identified in the council's local plan for employment and while the comments were noted they held "limited weight in the determination of this application".

Another objector said it was "frustrating to have to be objecting to development on what are effectively tiny pieces of land".

They added better biodiversity management by landowners and oversight by the council would mean volunteers "wouldn't have to be fighting to defend every last scrap that we have left in the Tees Valley".

Councillor Ray Godwin, representing Stainsby Hill, spoke in support of the plans, which he said would bring investment and opportunities to the area.

"This is vital for its continued success," he added.

The plans were approved with conditions including around tree protection, environmental management and land contamination.

Lichfields, the agent for the developer, has been contacted for comment.

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].