Dear Residents and Friends of Wynyard,
A short time ago, I told you that your Wynyard Resident Association representatives had been informed by officers of Stockton Borough Council, that there was a strong possibility that the planning application for 700 houses, at Wynyard, would be withdrawn.
Today I can confirm that that planning application has now, officially, been withdrawn.
Whilst it is a moment for some degree of celebration, this is not the end of planning applications being submitted for land at Wynyard, both north and south of the A689. Development on any part of Wynyard will impact on the whole of Wynyard.
Your representatives have never sought the total rejection of development at Wynyard. That would be selfish and wrong. What they have always fought for has been transparency and the fair representation, in any decision-making process, of the views of Wynyard residents.
We shouldn’t be too critical of developers who want to build at Wynyard. They have a business to run and who wouldn’t wish to live at Wynyard? It is very desirable and the reason why we have fought hard, for this outcome, for almost three years.
The truth is that the initial application should never have been validated and for that we can only hold Stockton Borough Planning Department to account. Officers of SBC are now willing to accept the responsibility for failing to employ and implement procedures, in dealing with planning applications, that are transparent and “community” inclusive.
In recent months, your representatives have met with SBC officers to try to establish a dialogue that works in everyone’s best interests. At this point, it should be noted that what has been achieved does not only effect Wynyard but has a wider implication for the whole of Stockton Borough and for all communities threatened with over development and inappropriate development.
What your representatives have discovered since Spring 2023 is little short of shocking in the processes employed by SBC to consciously obstruct enquiry into the implementation of planning processes. We hope that the new dialogue may instigate serious, deep and meaningful change.
Of course, this hasn’t just happened. What has been achieved is the result of enormous commitment of time and energy by a relatively small and changing group of Wynyard residents. They don’t need to be named. They know who they are. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the group came together as a direct result of your opposition to the “700” planning application. Without your ongoing and continuous support this outcome may never have been achieved. Along every step of the “journey” we have been supported by individuals and groups. Local political representatives and businesses, including our wonderful Wynyard Matters magazine, have given their time and expertise freely.
As a result, the funding that was made available, in the beginning, is still largely intact and ready to be used for any future issue. I hope that the “funds” will stay in reserve for a very long time and never have to be used. That would indicate that the progress that has been made has been long-lasting.
Your Wynyard Resident Association Action Group has now achieved what it set out to do. In so doing, it has accumulated an enormous amount of expertise and knowledge that can be called upon in the future. It is likely that the WRA will now try to concentrate on its core business and encourage the Parish Councils to fulfil the role of monitoring planning matters.
Thank you for your support and Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Andy Dennis
Chairperson WRA