A HOUSING developer is hopeful a long-awaited extension for a railway station car park will come this autumn. 

More than 300 homes were approved off Green Lane, in Yarm, in 2015 – alongside plans to double the size of Yarm railway station car park. 

But fresh calls have come for developers to get on with putting in extra spaces to cope with increased use of the station and wider parking pressures in the town. 

Yarm independent ward councillor Andrew Sherris was fed up with how long it was taking.

He said: “A few months ago I was told that work would begin during the school holidays with overflow parking available at nearby Conyers School. 

“I understand that Theakston Land have had issues with getting firms to tender.

“However, this is now approaching two years late and is not acceptable, particularly when train use and demand is increasing – which is good to see.”

Cllr Sherris said no definite dates had been given – and wanted developers to “come clean”. 

Cllr Nigel Cooke, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “Extending the car park at Yarm station is a requirement of Theakston Land’s planning permission for its housing development on Green Lane. 

“Theakston Land are aware of their obligations – we’ve made it very clear to them that we fully expect them to be met and that they need to get on with it very quickly.”

Theakston Estates Ltd bid for homes alongside David Wilson Homes and Bellway was given the green light for the 341 homes off Green Lane in 2015.

However, Theakston Estates say separate firm Yarm Estates Limited are responsible for the car park and planning permission obligations laid with the firm. 

A spokesman from Theakston Estates said: “Yarm Estates Limited has been working with the council to design the car park extension scheme which has now been approved. 

“A tender process is ongoing and we hope to be able to announce a contractor in September and for the works to take place this autumn.”

Chris Harrison, director at Theakston Estates, said they were “very much getting on with it”. 

He added: “We are committed to getting this done and we have a commitment to do this as quickly as possible.”

The calls come after hopes were raised of a breakthrough for a long-stay car parking under the railway viaduct in the town last week – as well as plans for another car park at Yarm Prep School.