Footpath and cycleway at Land East Of Clarendon Road, Thornaby

What was proposed

A new footpath and cycleway, with landscaping and lighting, would connect Milbank Lane with St Patricks Catholic College.

“Proposal 4. Planning permission is sought for the provision of a new footpath and cycleway together with associated landscaping and lighting, to be constructed through the land, connecting Milbank Lane and the main entrance of St Patricks Catholic College.”

“The proposal is part of a wider pedestrian/cycle network improvement scheme across the Borough and involves the provision of new pedestrian/cycle safety features.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The route would cross grassed designated open space east of Clarendon Road, beside homes and near St Patricks Catholic College.

“Site and Surroundings 1. The application site lies relates to a parcel of land which runs to the east of Clarendon Road in Thornaby. The land abuts residential dwellings either side with St Patricks Catholic College set to the northeast of the bend off Baysdale Road. The land abuts Milbank Lane to the south and extends northwards to the bend of Redcar Road and Humber Road.”

“The site lies within the defined settlement limits of the main conurbation and is designated open space within the Stockton Local Plan.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the scheme acceptable in planning terms and consistent with relevant local and national policies.

“Conclusion 53. In view of the assessment above and taking into account the concerns received by local residents and representatives from Cleveland Police, it is considered that the proposed development would not result in any significant conflict with the policies contained within the Stockon on Tees Local Plan or the relevant chapters of the NPPF and there are no technical reasons why the proposed scheme would be deemed unacceptable.”

“In planning terms, the proposed development is considered acceptable in all other regards and is therefore recommended for approval subject to those planning conditions set out in the report.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no objection, Environmental Health recommended conditions, and Cleveland Police opposed the route because of motorcycle nuisance concerns.

“National Highways Looking at this proposal, it appears to be a proposal for upgrade of cycle route and footpath provision that is at a distance of about a kilometre from the Strategic Road Network (A19) at a location adjacent to a strategic route with a cycle ban, running parallel to it. National Highways would be generally supportive of local authorities developing the active travel network to offer alternatives forms of transport to the car.”

“Cleveland Police All roadways and pathways, adopted or otherwise, are recommended to be to BS5489- 1:2020 standards with a uniformity preferably to Secured by Design recommended one of 40%, as a minimum 25%. Any proposed PROW, informal pathways, cycle lanes etc. are to be incorporated into active street frontages to avoid creating potential crime generators and are to be lit to the above standard.”

Officer report

Objectors’ concerns

Objectors questioned the route, its need, flooding, drainage, land ownership, privacy, antisocial behaviour, lighting, wildlife and effects on residents.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned police advice, possible disorder, the route’s distance from homes and tree removal, while officers explained the path’s repositioning.

“- Cleveland police had reported that they believed that the lighting of the cycle path would potentially increase Anti-Social Behaviour, which was a concern therefore the police’s advice should be considered to eliminate Anti-Social Behaviour.”

“Members discussed the possibility of a deferral to allow for additional information to be obtained to address issues that had been highlighted by Cleveland Police. A request was also made that an arborist attend the next meeting to discuss the removal of trees should a deferral be agreed.”

Minutes

Why it was deferred

Members sought further information addressing Cleveland Police’s concerns and requested an arborist attend a future meeting to discuss tree removal.

“RESOLVED that the item 25/0759/LA Land East of Clarendon Road, Thornaby be deferred to a future meeting of the Planning Committee to obtain further information as detailed above.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee carried a motion to defer the application to a future meeting.

“A motion to defer was proposed and seconded.”

Minutes