Outline proposals for a 550 home development at Ingleby Barwick has been approved after an appeal.
The scheme was initially refused permission on appeal by Sir Eric Pickles, the predecessor of current Secretary for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark, following rejection by the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in June 2014.
This "u-turn" has led to furious reactions from the leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Bob Cook.
He said the decision was "farcical" and that "it makes a mockery of the Government rhetoric about devolution and local decision making."
He added "We have always maintained that planning decisions are best made locally and not in accordance with inappropriate national guidance."
