93 New Homes at Wynyard Recommended for Approval — Despite Local Opposition...

Another 93 homes could be built on what many claim is an already 'overdeveloped' area with councillors set to look over the plans at a planning committee meeting next week...

17th July 2025

Proposals by a housing developer to build yet another 93 homes on the outskirts of Hartlepool are set to be mulled by councillors when they meet at a Planning Committie Meeting at Hartlepool's Civic Centre next week..

An application by Duchy Homes is seeking planning permission to build 93 new houses on the outskirts of Hartlepool at Wynyard Park Estate are being recommended for approval by Hartlepool Borough Council officers — despite a flurry of objections from concerned residents.

The application (ref: H/2022/0255) will go before Hartlepool Borough Councils Planning Committee on Wednesday 23rd July 2025, where councillors will be asked to consider the officer’s recommendation to grant full planning permission despite a number of objections to the plans coming forward .

The development would see the building of 97 dwellings (a revised number from the original 84), including:

• 26 three-bed houses

• 60 four-bed houses

• 11 five-bed houses

• Mostly detached homes, with some semi-detached pairs

• A central loop road with private drive access

• Landscaping, footpaths, and a new spine road connection

  
  

Although technically 97 homes are now proposed, council documents indicate the final site plan may be reduced slightly due to design and drainage revisions — making 93 units the likely final figure.

A number of objections to the plans has been received...

Its claimed over 10 objections have been raised over the plans, with concerns about the potential Loss of privacy due to inadequate separation distances, Overbearing and dense layout pushed to site boundaries, the Increased traffic and construction disruption, Insufficient play areas or public open space & the Lack of proper drainage and flood mitigation

Locals argue the developer, Duchy Homes, is attempting to cram in additional units to offset infrastructure costs — particularly in their contribution toward building the southern spine road.

Despite these worries, its claimed council officials have stated the development is in their opinion 'acceptable in principle' and falls within designated development limits outlined in the 2018 Hartlepool Local Plan.

Their official recommendation therefore by council planning officials is to approve the application, subject to a number of planning conditions and legal agreements. These reportedly include:

• £16,800 to mitigate recreational pressure on local nature sites

• £47,334 toward GP surgery capacity at Skerne Medical Group

• Contributions to education and possible A689 roundabout improvements

• A requirement for tree planting, ecology protection, and drainage infrastructure

Notably, the application is still subject to public consultation — with the final comments period expiring 29th July 2025. Its claimed Councillors will be updated at a future meeting on any further submissions.

Wynyard – A Planning Free-for-All?

This case is a prime example of how Wynyard is becoming a developer’s playground, with Hartlepool Borough Council seemingly prioritising large volume house-builders over its own residents, where its saids that at the same time, more modest town-centre applications — such as children's care homes — are being slapped with refusals, allegedly on grounds of “community disruption.”

Once again, it's clear: if you’re a big builder with money, you get your application rubber-stamped. However, If you’re a small operator or represent a vulnerable population, the door gets slammed in your face.

What do you think ?