Yarm bridge design plans tweaked
A footbridge over the Tees which sparked a wave of objections when plans first emerged is to face a vote once again.
Yarm School won a planning appeal to create a bridge to its raft of sports pitches in 2018 after Stockton Council rejected its proposals. Now tweaked plans to move the bridge six metres to the south and change its design will go before councillors once again next week.
The bridge from Eaglescliffe to Yarm triggered more than 200 objection letters from residents at the time – with worries about traffic impacts on Egglescliffe village, what it would mean for the Tees Heritage Park, behaviour fears and its private use. Councillors turned down the wooden bridge bid in 2018 but the Planning Inspectorate overturned the verdict in September that year.
Planning documents show the school wants the bridge closer to its school buildings – with the crossing to be made of orange-brown steel rather than wood. The council report added: “The surface of the bridge walkway would be a stiffened plate with resin bonded aggregate, which would be a quiet, slip and skid resistant walking surface.”
The Environment Agency and highways officials offered no objections to the plans. Another 14 letters with concerns have been lodged by residents this time around.
Some feared the design of the bridge was not sympathetic to its surroundings and could spoil the view of the river. But developers say the proposed bridge will be further away from properties.
A design report on behalf of Yarm School added: “The use of high-quality weathering steel is considered to be appropriate in this location as its orange-brown or stable-brown colour would provide a visually attractive feature in the landscape, which would respond positively to its setting reflecting the colour and appearance of the River Tees and the mature tree coverage on the west bank of the river. The structure of the proposed footbridge is smaller than the approved scheme and is therefore considered to have a lesser visual impact, as a result of its scale, particularly given the relocation of the bridge’s position closer to the school and the lack of structural piers within the river.”
Planning officers have recommended the adjusted plans get the nod. The committee will meet next Wednesday afternoon.