Local News

Controversial plans to build hundreds of new homes in Normanby will now go ahead after a decision to block it was overturned;

Housing companies are set to check all of its high-rise buildings in Teesside following the Grenfell Tower fire in London;

...and friends and admirers of local folk legend Vin Garbutt will be welcomed “with open arms” to his funeral today.

Controversial plans to build hundreds of new homes in Normanby will now go ahead after a decision to block it was overturned.

Officials have agreed that the 45 million pound plan to build 400 homes near Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park can go go ahead.

The development has been heavily criticised by Redcar MP Anna Turley.

She said: "Local people came together to protect our hills against a development which adds more strain to local infrastructure and will concrete over valued green space on our hillside.

"This is not a defeat for Nimbyism but a defeat for a community that has had enough of more and more development on Eston Hills.

"It's no wonder that people lose faith in the system and feel like they're constantly fighting a losing battle."

It comes after the council put a stop to the plans last September after residents protested.

But it was overturned after a government inspector visited the site in May.

Housing companies are set to check all of its high-rise buildings in Teesside following the Grenfell Tower fire in London.

Thirteen Group and Coast and Country Housing are trying to reassure residents who live in their multi-storey flats.

Thirteen Group manages 20 flat buildings across Tees Valley and Coast and Country manages just one.

It comes after reports that cladding added to the outside of the Grenfell Tower block could have helped the fire spread.

And friends and admirers of local folk legend Vin Garbutt will be welcomed “with open arms” to his funeral today.

Vin’s family announced his funeral will be at Middlesbrough Cathedral in Coulby Newham at twelve o’clock and anyone whose life has touched by the Teesside Troubadour is invited.

News of Vin’s death was announced on Tuesday by his family on Facebook last week.

The post attracted nearly 2000 comments from fans, all wanting to pay tribute to him.

He became a legend in folk music circles, entertaining audiences worldwide.