AFTER a year-long planning wrangle, work has begun on a care home complex on Teesside's most exclusive residential estate.

Billy Morgan, the developer who finally won the go-ahead to construct the £7m venture, at the Wynd, at Wynyard, near Sedgefield, spoke about his 12-month battle.

The planning application has been repeatedly stalled by objectors.

However, Mr Morgan said that residents had been deliberately misled by some of the opponents of the scheme.

Mr Morgan, of B and K Developments, who has been in the care home business for more than 25 years, said he had been saddened by what he said was misinformation, which had been used to fuel opposition to his development.

But he added: "I have, however, been heartened by the growing number of calls I have received supporting the develop-ment.''

Mr Morgan applied for planning approval more than a year ago and said that, after offering residents the opportunity to air their views on his plans, he amended some of the scheme.

Among objections lodged was that the proposed home was not on a bus route.

In response, Mr Morgan has agreed to operate a mini-bus service to and from the complex for residents and visitors.

He has also assured residents that the existing acre of woodland will be retained on the site.

Inviting anyone to come and talk to him about the development, he said: "I want residents to be assured that the home will be a top-grade development that will fit well into the area.''

Once completed, in 18 months, the complex will provide residential care for 50 clients and will also include 30 luxury apartments for people over 55.

Opposition to the complex, however, has not dissipated, with campaigner Bob Bussey saying that the overwhelming majority of residents remained opposed to the development.

Still questioning the role Hartlepool Borough Council has played in the granting of permission for the development, Mr Bussey said he had now taken the concerns to the Ombudsman.

He said the planning status of the development site had been changed by the authority, without any consultation with residents.

"I have asked the council for all the relevant documentation involved,'' but his request, he said, had been refused on cost grounds.

A spokesman for the council, yesterday confirmed the authority had received a letter from the Ombudsman informing it of Mr Bussey's complaint.

"We are considering our response,'' he said.