CONSULTATION TO START ON MIDDLESBROUGH COUNTRY PARK

A COMMUNITY consultation is set to get underway on plans for an expansive country park in Middlesbrough.

The Stainsby Country Park & Masterplan has been a work in progress for a number of years with a series of revisions made following consultations.

A final version of the plan was approved by Middlesbrough Council's Executive in December 2020 and will now go to a final consultation.

The consultation on this Masterplan will run from 9am on Monday, February 1, 2021 until 5pm on Monday, March 1, 2021.

The plans involves:

• More than 40 hectares of additional green public open space with planting of 18,000-25,000 native trees and shrubs;
• A new country park;
• Community amenities including play and sports provision;
• Housing within a landscaped setting;
• A commitment to the Council's One Planet Living principles;
• Public orchards with fruit trees;
• A proposed community hub and visitor centre.

The proposed scheme is in West Middlesbrough on land running parallel with the A19 which was approved for housing as part of the authority's 2014 local plan. The 130 hectare site was designated for a minimum of 1,670 dwellings.

An area called Stainsby North, known locally as Mandale Meadow, was earmarked for 100 of the homes but this part of the plan has now been removed.

The latest executive report however stresses the benefits of the major environmental improvements.

It states that the proposed new country park would be the "jewel in the crown" of the new development and accessible to both new and existing residents.

The report says: "The masterplan enhances and extends existing habitats such as Blue Bell Beck, Mandale Meadow and West Plantation and creates a wide range of new habitats.

"These will interact and flow throughout the development providing a seamless transition between the built environment and the countryside, facilitating the movement of wildlife and people.

"The review provides a comprehensive network of play and recreation facilities ensures that residents have easy access to a natural, stimulating, and safe environment for recreation and healthy living activities for all ages and abilities."

• A webpage with more information about the development including the answers to frequently asked questions about the development can be found at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/stainsby. Comments can be left via the site or by emailing stainsby@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

ENDS

Press Notice 6376. 29/01/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pn6376 Stainsby Park 1-3 - Pictures show architectural impressions of how the proposed Stainsby Country Park might look.