Habib Rehman Working Hard For Residents Of University Ward

New Homes on The Former Middlesbrough College Longlands Campus

The former Longlands College campus site has an area of 3.7 hectares (9.1 acres). It is bounded by Douglas Street on the western side, by Breckon Hill Primary School on the northern side, by the rears of residential properties in Saltwells Road on the eastern side and by the rears of commercial properties in Longlands Road on the southern side. Existing buildings on the site comprise a range of 1960's single-storey and multi-storey teaching blocks, together with an accompanying car park and areas of open space.

After a major campaign by local residents who had expressed concerns about the loss of open green space area, parking congestion, anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Councillor Habib Rehman worked closely with the University Ward Residents Association, Community Council and the Developers Taylor Wimpey to find a suitable compromise addressing the residents concerns and ensure the derelict site was redeveloped. After frantic negotiations and several revised planning applications the residents agreed to remove their objections and the final plan proposed to clear the existing College buildings from the site and erect a residential development.

In more detail the application comprises:-

The approved 2005 layout following a statement of community involvement exercise shows the provision of 104 No houses, none of which were accessed Saltwells Crescent and also the provision of a village green/open space area in the north east corner of the site opposite Saltwells Crescent. The open space measured 24 metres x 73 metres and was enclosed by a hooped top railing to prevent access encroachment by vehicles.

Following the submission of the initial layout plan, this had now been amended on two occasions and in order to clarify the position, the sequence of events is as set out below.

Initial plan – showed the provision of 104 no. dwellings with no open space provision and vehicle and access to 8 No dwellings fronted onto Saltwells Crescent. This plan was subject of a 21-day consultation period.

Subsequent plan – showed the provision of 140 no. dwellings with no open space provision and no vehicle access from Saltwells Crescent. This plan was also the subject of a 21-day consultation period.

Current plan – showed the provision of 137 no. dwellings, together with vision of open space 20 metres x 50 metres opposite Saltwells Crescent and this was the layout to be considered by the Planning Committee. A Section 106 Agreement was to be implemented to ensure that the applicant maintained the open space provided adjacent to Saltwells Crescent and the provision of a suitable cycle path.

Developer praised for work on homes

Dec 21 2009 by Sandy McKenzie, Evening Gazette