The Secretary of State is “reviewing” plans previously approved by councillors to provide 475 new homes in Hartlepool.

Proposals were given the go-ahead by Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee in April to provide the properties on 23.5 hectares of agricultural land to the north of Elwick Road and south of Worset Lane.

The approval was subject to the completion of a section 106 legal agreement securing more than £8million from the developer to mitigate the impacts of the scheme.

The outline application, from Hartlepool-based Cecil M Yuill, would deliver the third phase of the Quarry Farm housing development.

How the homes planned by Hartlepool-based Cecil M Yuill would look.

placeholder image — How the homes planned by Hartlepool-based Cecil M Yuill would look.

It also includes a local centre comprising 400sqm of retail units and areas of open space.

Prior to a decision being made, 26 objections had been submitted to the council from residents raising concerns over the proposals.

Worries were voiced around “inadequate” road infrastructure, congestion, noise, traffic, impact on countryside, trees, fields and wildlife and the perceived lack of demand for the properties – and an objector spoke at the meeting to raise such concerns.

The planning committee decided by majority vote to approve the application, which was in line with recommendations from council officers, although local authority chiefs have now confirmed a review is taking place over the decision by the Secretary of State.

A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are in receipt of a letter from the office of the Secretary of State regarding the planning application, which they are entitled to do on any application.

“This communication has been acknowledged by the council.

“At this stage, the Secretary of State has not made any decision and is just reviewing the application, so we will await further correspondence.”

A statement from JW Planning submitted prior to the application being originally approved said the development would provide “significant direct economic benefits for the town and its residents”.

It adds: “The introduction of additional population in this location will generate significant increased levels of expenditure in the town

“It will also provide a mix of high quality 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed houses, including a proportion of bungalows, in a high-quality landscaped setting which will meet the needs of present and future generations.”