Residents questioned whether the extra housing is needed in the area
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Plans to build up to 350 new homes in a County Durham area have received approval despite concerns the area lacks sufficient infrastructure to accommodate the development.
Developer Banks’ application was supported by Durham County Council’s planning committee – though residents questioned whether the additional housing is required.
Situated on land north of York Hill Road in Tudhoe, the hybrid proposal requested planning permission for two phases: 45 homes in the initial phase and a possible additional 305 homes.
However, local residents had raised concerns about the additional traffic the housing would generate, the strain on GP and school capacity, and the overdevelopment of the broader Spennymoor area.
Liz Maddison, committee member and county councillor for Spennymoor, said: “What benefits does this development offer to [the area]?.
“Spennymoor and Tudhoe are being targeted to meet County Durham’s housing needs, not for the benefit of residents.”
Over £1.6 million of funding will be provided to support schools, healthcare and sports – but Cllr Maddison cautioned that this did not compensate for the loss of land.
“We don’t want or need anymore new homes,” she told the committee. “We already have brownfield sites prepared and waiting for a developer; why couldn’t this be there rather than on open countryside? We have no housing shortage in Spennymoor and Tudhoe divisions.”
Liberal Democrat member Mark Wilkes also opposed the proposal owing to road safety worries. He said: “A blind man on a galloping horse would see that it’s not safe. It seems nonsensical that someone would bring such a design and we would allow it.”
Notwithstanding these reservations, Durham County Council’s planning officers had urged approval of the scheme to tackle the area’s “outstanding housing need”.
The developer stated: “The York Hill Road proposals represent a high-quality, sustainable development that complies with local and national policy and will assist Durham County Council’s housing land supply position, with the delivery of market and affordable housing in the short term.”
Supporting the application, Reform’s James Stephenson remarked: “This is a good proposal. The county needs 350 houses.”