Dear Sir,
Great Aycliffe is expanding and that is a fact – Eldon Whins will be part of that expansion and is in the County Plan. Eldon Whins is a natural extension to Newton Aycliffe and will add to the exchequer of Great Aycliffe helping to pay for the upkeep of services stretched by government cuts and the increase in population which these new developments will bring.
Therefore it seems sensible to pay any revenue accrued to the provider of these services to help pay for them.
As our great town inevitably grows as it was always planned to, we must look ahead to the provision of schools and perhaps a 24hr medical centre to cater for the increases in population.
We cannot allow petty squabbles over boundaries to become a political football, but instead consider the needs of the greater populace.
Let us look at what we may achieve whilst expanding our community. For instance a new community may give us an opportunity to build a community centre, a pub, a park featuring alternative form of entertainment for local families or indeed anything else limited only by our imaginations.
I have therefore come to the conclusion that:
A: This expansion will happen.
B: We might as well make the best we can of it for Newton Aycliffe.
In a small way as residents of Great Aycliffe we can help in signing the petition to acquire Eldon Whins and welcome the proposed new residents to our fantastic town.
Ken Robson
ACORN Residents Association