Plans to redevelop a farm site in Eaglescliffe with 12 new “bespoke” family homes have been met with more than 60 objections from residents.

The development of redundant sites at Manor House Farm, off Back Lane, will include the restoration and extension of the Grade II listed Old Hall.

The application site is split across two sites at Manor Farm, the remaining working farm in Egglescliffe village .

On the north site two existing barns will be converted into two homes, and agricultural buildings will be demolished and redeveloped for a further four new-build dwellings.

On the south site existing agricultural buildings will be replaced by four new homes and the Old Hall will be restored for residential use, with a single detached dwelling built to the north-east.

The planning application from Theakston Land says the “high quality” development will make “positive contributions to local character and distinctiveness” of the village.

The scheme would also provide “the essential financial support that is required for the conservation and enhancement of the heritage asset that is the listed Old Hall and provide it with a viable new use that will ensure its retention”.

Planning permission was granted in August for seven new homes on similar sites at Manor House Farm.

‘Five lavatories each’

Stockton planners say the sites “are interrelated” and both schemes could not be built in full if the current application was granted.

Objectors have raised a number of concerns including the adverse impact on the conservation area, over development, traffic volume, access, damage to the village from vehicles, it being a greenfield site, emergency access and design of new buildings.

Among objectors Malcolm McArthur said: “The approved development is an asset to the village, this proposal will completely change the nature of the village and cause substantial problems to traffic using Butts Lane.”

Brenda Henderson, who lives near the farm, said: “We are a conservation area so new builds don’t fit in. Parking is already at the maximum.

“The heavy vehicles will pass only feet from the front of my cottage, my worry is the effect on my old building.”

And Janet Crouch said: “Although a total of 12 dwellings may not, at first sight, seem to be excessive, it is obvious from the plans that these properties (with up to five lavatories each) are likely to attract multi- car occupancy”.

This, she said, “would generate as much traffic as a development of a greater number of more modest size houses”.

But Stockton Council’s planners have recommended the development be approved when it comes before the planning committee tomorrow.