Stuart Arnold

Sarah Theaker has applied for permission to operate a beauty treatment business from a detached summer house in her garden on Cranbourne Drive, Redcar. The proposed services include hairdressing, eyelash extensions and facials, with opening hours of 9am to 7pm on weekdays. Redcar and Cleveland Council received the application last month, residents can comment until August 25, and the council’s environmental protection team has no objection.

Outline planning permission has been granted for a two-storey extension to Craigton House on West Terrace in Redcar. The scheme would add 30 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, including penthouses with sea views and balconies, as well as an underground car park with 16 secure spaces. London-based Vista Estates owns the site. Redcar and Cleveland Council accepted the development’s scale, design, transport access and impact on nearby heritage assets and residents, subject to conditions covering materials, parking, cycle and bin storage, pedestrian access and construction works. Four objections focused mainly on parking and impacts on existing residents.

Beyond Housing has promised to weed and replant the flower beds in Marske Square by the end of August, then maintain them fortnightly. Councillors Tristan Learoyd and Karen King criticized the condition of the housing association-owned square as unsightly and neglected, while Beyond said it shared residents’ and businesses’ priorities. Planned work includes re-turfing an area, mulching beds, planting hebes, retaining existing plants, and continuing watering and maintenance.

Redcar and Cleveland Council will replace high speed cushions on Larkswood Road and Mapleton Crescent after receiving numerous complaints that vehicles were scraping them. The old-specification cushions will be replaced with Tarmac cushions meeting current standards, at an estimated in-house cost of £9,000. Work is scheduled to last two weeks from Monday and will require temporary traffic lights at the junction.

Councillors in Redcar and Cleveland are pressing for improved play facilities in Normanby and Eston. Curt Pugh highlighted equipment removed from Flatts Lane Country Park and sought its replacement, with council staff and volunteers pursuing external funding of up to £80,000. David Taylor called for a dedicated play park or activity area in Eston, where residents say families must walk up to 45 minutes to reach existing facilities, but the council made no firm commitment. The council cited limited budgets, an ongoing playground review and reliance on grants, while previous assessments found significant maintenance needs and estimated that £700,000 a year would be required to maintain provision at current levels against an allocated budget of £50,000.

Middlesbrough Council’s expanded pest control service received 142 requests in its first nine days, with 101 involving rats. The council recently increased its number of pest control staff and now offers most residential call‑outs for free. Councillors highlighted persistent rat problems in central areas and stressed the importance of maintaining rapid response services, while unsecured waste continues to be identified as a major contributor to infestations.

A planning inspector has overturned Redcar and Cleveland Council’s rejection of a proposal to convert vacant first‑floor offices on Redcar High Street into an eight‑bedroom HMO, citing the area’s low proportion of existing HMOs and minimal impact on character or appearance. The inspector judged that the mixed commercial and residential surroundings could accommodate increased activity and that separation distances protected neighbouring living conditions. Concerns over noise, suitability of location, parking and highway safety were dismissed, with the highway authority raising no objections.

Cleveland Police received a level one performance grading under a new national assessment system, reflecting only minor concerns and an overall positive improvement trajectory. Chief Constable Victoria Fuller credited staff for driving progress, while PCC Matt Storey criticised outdated negative perceptions and highlighted ongoing resource challenges. The force’s improvement follows earlier poor assessments, with former PCC Steve Turner acknowledging progress but calling for continued scrutiny.

A fire in the public toilets at Redcar’s Locke Park prompted a police appeal for witnesses and increased patrols. Significant damage was caused to the facilities, with council leader Alec Brown confirming repairs will require public funding and that new CCTV investment is being considered. Authorities are investigating and urging anyone with information to come forward.