'First major build in 30 years' in Bearpark given approval

Developer Gleeson Regeneration applied for planning permission for the two to four-bedroom houses and bungalows near Colliery Road, Bearpark.

They said it would "bring some excellent benefit" to the area with much-needed quality homes, jobs and about £12.5m spend.

There were 11 letters of objection and a petition with 10 signatures.

Concerns included traffic congestion, access, speeding near a school, loss of wildlife and green space, pressure on facilities, nuisance, construction noise, air quality, flooding, privacy, crime and house values.

Two letters of support said the proposals would enhance the area and would be good for the village, the nearby Bearpark Primary School, economy and amenities.

Read more: Falling life expectancy in County Durham leads to concerns

Planning officers said the scheme was acceptable and would contribute to meeting housing need.

They said the impacts could be mitigated with contributions of almost £800,000 by the developer.

They recommended approval with contributions including £441,090 to school places, £219,398 to open space and recreation, £71,484 to healthcare and £64,766 to biodiversity.

The site is grassland including a vacant industrial estate which had declined for years with empty buildings which did not meet modern requirements, a Durham County Council planning committee meeting heard.

Read more: Police object to Ferryhill shop alcohol licence over 'underage sales'

Councillor Marion Wilson said: "If approved, this development would be the first major build in over 30 years in the village.

"I think we have to look at the future. The housing will benefit the village."

She said the major concern was traffic on Colliery Road and possible accidents, but welcomed planned traffic calming measures and signage.

Cllr Craig Martin said: "Bearpark is in need of additional new housing, extra regeneration and I have no objections to this."

Cllr Craig Martin. Picture: Durham County Council.

Cllr David Boyes said: "I'm happy to support this scheme. We do need development for the community to be sustainable.

"The fact that jobs are going to be within two miles of this development is a welcome thing as well."

Read more: Plans to build hundreds of homes in Consett, Barnard Castle and Bearpark

Cllr John Higgins praised traffic calming measures, park improvements and investment in the primary school.

He said: "I undertook the site visit. The industrial estate is in total disrepair.

"It's definitely going to be a big improvement for Bearpark."

Cllr Maura McKeon. Picture: Northern Echo. (Image: Stuart Boulton, Newsquest)

Cllr Maura McKeon said: "There are quite a few villages across County Durham where we haven't had a lot of development and we see the school numbers go down and down and down. That really impacts on the sustainability of the schools and villages.

"The only way that you can really stop that from happening is by having new development that brings in more people, more children."

Read more: Council leaders agree to sell new HQ to Durham University

Councillors were about to vote on the plan when an objector spoke up.

The objector spoke for two residents, describing the plan as unnecessary "dormitory development" which would destroy the habitat of endangered lapwings.

He said: "It brings nothing to Bearpark. It brings not one job. It's not bringing any new shops, any new facilities to Bearpark. It simply lines the pocket of the developer."

He said a "dangerous junction" where there were "near misses every day" was an inappropriate access.

He raised objections about the health impact of the school from three years of construction traffic.

Read more: Falling life expectancy in County Durham leads to concerns

Council solicitor Neil Carter denied an allegation that planning permission had been “approved behind closed doors", saying it was to be determined in public.

Planners said highway works and measures would tackle the health and road concerns, the homes would help to support and sustain businesses in the village and ecologists found no adverse impacts.

The plan was approved by a unanimous vote.

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054