Alex calls for local decision making to be upheld, as developer appeals Thorpe Thewles house building rejection

Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, has expressed his hoped that Thorpe Thewles will remain free of an unwanted housing development, and has called on government officials to back a locally-made decision to reject a housing application.

This follows the decision government’s appointment of planning inspectors to oversee an appeal against Stockton Borough Council’s rejection of their application to build 40 units of housing in September. Alex campaigned alongside residents against the application, which saw a 155 signature petition and 38 letters of objection go to Stockton Council’s Planning Committee.

The original application was rejected on the grounds that the development would have an adverse effect on Thorpe Thewles and a harmful impact on the existing infrastructure around the village. In his own letter of objection, Alex expressed his concerns that the proposed development would lead to further applications and create pressure on a village which already suffered from infrequent bus services, limited access to GPs and no local school provision.

Alex said:

I’m disappointed to see that the developers have gone against the wishes of local people by appealing against the original decision of the Planning Committee. Like local residents, I will continue to oppose their proposals to build 40 houses in the village, and sincerely hope the Planning Inspector will confirm the decision of the Committee.”