Appeal begins after housing development plans rejected
AN appeal has begun after plans for a new housing development in County Durham were rejected.
Bellway Homes submitted plans to construct 148 “high quality” homes in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-street, but these were turned down by Durham County Council’s planning committee last June following substantial resistance from local residents.
Hundreds of locals voiced their objections to the proposed site, north of George Pit Lane, arguing that it was unsuitable for development. The council received a total of 253 letters objecting to the plans, with local MP Kevan Jones supporting the campaign, while only two letters were sent in support.
Following the rejection, Bellway appealed the decision and a five-day hearing between the developer and the council began last Wednesday.
Durham County Council said the application was denied because the proposed housing estate would significantly diminish the open countryside setting of the existing settlement, cause unacceptable harm to the landscape and its inherent character, and lack sufficient access to services and facilities via sustainable modes of transport.
In an opening statement, the council’s legal representatives asserted that the reasons for refusal are “considered to be robust and can be supported by local and national policy”.
The initial statement asserted: “The proposals conflict with the plan and should be refused and the material considerations add further weight against the grant of permission for the proposal.”
However, Bellway insisted that the proposed plans “adequately mitigate for any potential landscape harm” and maintained that Great Lumley would be accessible through sustainable modes of transport.
A follow-up statement said: “There is no conflict with relevant up-to-date Development Plan policies and the appeal proposals are in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.”