Homes to be built after developer wins appeal
Cameron Hall Developments/Jomast DevelopmentsA developer has won an appeal to build 135 homes in a village which locals have labelled as "overdevelopment".
Cameron Hall Homes's proposals for Wynyard, near Stockton-on-Tees, were refused in 2024 and a government planning inspector also dismissed an appeal last year.
However, a different inspector was appointed after a High Court challenge and the scheme has been given the go-ahead.
The developer said it was pleased with the decision, but objectors have said they are disappointed.
"You don't need any experience whatsoever of planning law to realise that 767 houses in an area of land approved for delivery of a maximum of 500 is overdevelopment," said Allan Fletcher, former chair of Wynyard Parish Council.
"They've sided against public opinion. It deserves a proper public inquiry where witnesses can be called and cross-examined."
'Inadequately reasoned'
Stockton Council's planning committee had turned down the proposal, saying the plans went too far. They found if the scheme and other plans for the area were approved, the number of new homes would rise by more than 50% from 500 to 767.
A planning inspector dismissed an appeal in May, saying the scheme would not be overdevelopment but would harm nearby Grade II* listed Wynyard Park and Garden.
The developer then launched a legal challenge, which saw the High Court quash the inspector's "inadequately reasoned" decision and a new appeal was ordered.
A different inspector, Sarah Manchester, has now granted planning permission for the scheme, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Manchester said the 135 homes "would represent a significant increase in the number of dwellings originally anticipated" in the Wynyard Village Extension, which was given outline approval in 2017.
However, she said the development would still be low density and in-keeping with the character of the village.
Cameron Hall Developments had argued refusal of its plan was "without any basis".
It acknowledged the scale of development had increased but said the site was "capable" of accommodating the plans.
The firm said its proposals also included a local centre including a medical centre, a restaurant/cafe, a community facility, a veterinary practice and retail units.
