Pod to keep neighbours informed

A Tees Valley business park has set up an information pod for use by members of the public wanting to stay up to date with activities there.

Management at Wynyard Park are keen to keep interested parties – in particular, residents at nearby Wynyard and Wolviston – informed of current and possible future developments on the site. To that end, they have established an area on the ground floor of the business park’s administration centre, Wynyard Park House, where callers can study plans, pick up brochures and visit the company’s website via a specially installed PC. David Salkeld, Director of Wynyard Park Ltd, the company that owns the business park, said the need for such a place has become more important than ever since the decision was made to merge North Tees and Hartlepool hospitals into one world-class hospital on part of the site. Wynyard Park was one of two locations shortlisted for the £416M development and the decision in its favour was announced in October after months of highly publicised debate and consultation by the NHS. Its management is now engaged in a series of discussions with the hospital Trust and their advisors to ensure that the incorporation of the hospital within the site is done so with utmost regard for the environment of Wynyard Park, its surrounds and neighbouring developments. David Salkeld said: “We have always worked hard to keep our neighbours up to speed with our developments – with regular newsletters and our constantly updated website - but interest in what is happening at Wynyard Park is now much more widespread so we wanted to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to find out more about our consented development and what the park will look like over the next few years.” He added: “Although the hospital announcement focused our minds more on the need to keep people informed, the pod will remain in place even though the NHS public consultation has concluded. We are particularly keen for visitors to suggest what they would like us to consider providing in the way of developments to support the new hospital.” The information pod comprises a seating area with literature, plans showing the extent of planning approvals that Wynyard Park Ltd has secured so far, aerial photographs of the site during the last three years of development and a computer linked to the web site. A coffee shop is close to the area where visitors can buy a drink and snack to enjoy while they absorb the information. And for those who can’t get Wynyard Park House between its opening hours of 8.30am – 5.30pm, Wynyard Park has also introduced an email address – info@wynyardpark.com to which people can send their enquiries. These will then be forwarded to the person best able to answer their particular question. Further information about Wynyard Business Park developments is also on its website www.wynyardpark.com -ends- Back to news