PLANS for a new hotel and executive housing at Wynyard Hall have been approved with the narrowest of margins.
Stockton Borough Councils planning committee voted 5-4 in favour of the scheme which will deliver a 50-bedroom five star hotel to the exclusive estate as well as 44 large detached properties.
The plans for the Wellington Club divided opinion at Wednesdays meeting.
Councillor Maureen Rigg said: "I have some big concerns about this scheme. The hotel development is not what concerns me, it is the housing."
And Independent councillor Steve Walmsley said: "I am absolutely gutted that a similar hotel development in Thornaby has just been refused and this one has been recommended for approval. This is absolute nonsense and we need some consistency from officers."
But Councillor Jim Beall was in favour of the plan maintaining that council tax revenue from the housing development would bring much needed money into the councils coffers.
The application was granted permission by one vote.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here