Plans to locate a traveller site at Teessaurus Park have been dropped by Middlesbrough Council, a year on from when the proposals were first put forward.
In early 2024, plans to locate a traveller site at Teessaurus Park in Middlesbrough were met with anger and concern from residents and visitors. The proposal was part of the council’s draft Local Plan which highlighted a need for 14 additional pitches on a new site – identified at the park.
Open since 1979, the 10-acre attraction off Riverside Park Road boasts life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs and a wildlife site, while the Teesdale Way route also passes through it.
The traveller proposals caused so much uproar that Middlesbrough resident, Sue Martin, launched a petition, which garnered over 7,000 signatures. At the time of launch, she said she was “deeply concerned” about the proposal. “This park is not just a piece of land; it is home to our beloved dinosaur sculptures that attract hundreds of families all year round,” she wrote.
The draft Local Plan outlined how proposals would need to “retain public access to the dinosaur sculptures” and this could be on site, or by relocating the dinosaurs.
The agenda for the upcoming Executive meeting, taking place on Wednesday, January 8, said: “This issue generated a significant amount of interest during the consultation, with many people and organisations raising concerns about the proposal.
“In response, the council commissioned consultants to undertake a more detailed Gypsy & Traveller Site Assessment to look at alternative site options. This work has concluded that Teessaurus Park is not the most appropriate option to meet future needs and recommended alternative locations. The Publication Local Plan will set out a revised policy based on these recommendations.”
Councillor Theo Furness, executive member for development, said: “There was a lot of strong feeling relating to Teessaurus Park when draft proposals were published. I’m pleased that council staff have been able to find an alternative proposal so that we can provide for the housing needs of the gypsy and travelling community, as we’re required to by law.
“Full details of amendments to the draft Local Plan made after consultation will be published when the report is considered by council.”
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