Developer loses appeal against refusal of plans for Wynyard because of harm to park and garden

NewsDeveloper loses appeal against refusal of plans for Wynyard because of harm to park and gardenCameron Hall Developments and Banks Homes' proposal for 135 homes was rejected by Stockton

Council last year, and upheld by a planning inspectorgazetteliveBookmarkShareCommentsNewsByGareth LightfootLocal Democracy Reporter04:00, 3 JUN 2025Updated08:42, 3 JUN 2025BookmarkHouses in

WynyardGet the latest Teesside Live breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

A developer has lost an appeal against a council's decision to turn down its proposal for 135 homes in Wynyard.

Cameron Hall Developments and Banks Homes asked for planning permission to build the two to five-bedroom homes in Wynyard Village. However, residents objected to the scheme and Stockton

Council's planning committee rejected the proposal, against its officers' recommendation, in May last year, saying the plans went too far.

The plans had attracted 65 objections saying it was overdevelopment which would cause traffic congestion and be out of keeping with Wynyard. Councillors on the committee agreed after finding

that if the scheme and other plans were approved, the number of new homes in the area would shoot up from 500 to 767, a rise of more than 50%.

Cameron Hall Developments Ltd has since appealed against the committee's decision, saying their reason for refusal was "not justified". It would deliver "high quality well designed

dwellings" with "a landscaped residential environment of the highest quality", open space, tree-lined streets, an extended recreational route and a pedestrian and cycle link to the Castle

Eden Walkway, which "not only preserves the overall character and appeal of Wynyard Village but also enhances it", said Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, stating the case on behalf

of the developer.

It argued a new local centre would provide up to eight units to contain a medical centre, restaurant or cafe, community facility, vets' practice and other retail units, adding to the

shops and services already available in the village. It was said on behalf of the developer: "It is clear that the reason for refusal is without any basis."

The council argued the proposed homes would have taken the number of homes "beyond what was considered to be a typical village extension and the original envisaged scale of the 'Wynyard

Village extension' which was for 650 dwellings". It said it heard residents' concerns that the extension's density would be "excessive", undermining the "quality of place"

and harming the village, with a "lack of social infrastructure and lack of delivery of the associated facilities".

The authority said in its statement: "Members were justified in considering all the associated factors surrounding the development of this part of Wynyard Village, including the associated

background. Members overall conclusions were that the proposal would result in an overdevelopment of the area and thus there would be an undermining [of] the overall characteristics of

Wynyard Village."

Allan Fletcher, chairman of Wynyard Parish Council, wrote: "We feel strongly that we must represent the overwhelming majority of our parish residents who have become alarmed by what they

regard as overdevelopment at Wynyard." He called for a public hearing or inquiry, saying: "The public, and Wynyard residents in particular, deserve the opportunity to express their views,

and to witness a thorough impartial examination of all the issues surrounding the Wynyard Village Extension."

A government-appointed planning inspector, Timothy Burnham, did not find against the developer on overdevelopment, saying the homes were "well below what would be considered standard

density". He said: "I cannot therefore conclude that the proposal would represent an overdevelopment of the site nor would it undermine the characteristics of Wynyard village."

However he said it could harm the nearby grade II* listed Wynyard Park and Garden and have an "urbanising influence" on a site with 18th and 19th century associations. He found there would

be conflict with Stockton Local Plan policies which aim to "conserve and enhance the historic environment", "ensure that the significance of Wynyard Park Registered Park and Garden is not

harmed" and seek development which is "designed to the highest possible standard taking into consideration the context of the surrounding area and the need to respond positively to heritage

assets".

Mr Burnham said: "The appeal proposal, through the introduction of substantial built development within close proximity to the parkland would harm the significance of the Wynyard Park grade

II* listed park and garden through introducing a suburban influence into the setting of the parkland which would be at odds with the sense of isolation and enclosure which is a key

characteristic of the parkland landscape, harming its setting."

He said there would be public and economic benefits, education and financial contributions, but they had to be weighed against the harm to the important grade II* listed asset: "It would

result in less than substantial harm to the setting of Wynyard Park Grade II* listed park and garden, harm which would not be outweighed by the public benefits. This is a matter which weighs

against the proposal.

"There is also conflict with the LP (Local Plan) around these matters... The appeal is therefore dismissed."

news sent directly to your phone

Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.

Through the app, we'll send you the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.

To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to join our WhatsApp community.

For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.

Follow TeessideLiveFacebookX (Twitter)CommentMore OnWolviston and WynyardStockton CouncilStockton-on-TeesStockton