Sports and housing plans in County Durham refused - here's why

The proposals were deemed too "raggy" to go ahead, though some councillors expressed reluctance as they supported the idea behind the developments.

"I think it's just not ready," said Councillor Michael Stead at the Durham County Council planning committee meeting.

It was proposed to extend the Peases West Sports Centre in Crook to add a swimming pool, changing rooms, hall, café, more car parking and replace the grass pitch with an artificial 3G pitch with floodlighting.

Members of the public sent 19 letters of support, citing health benefits and lack of 3G pitch availability, and one objecting to the outline plan for the 1,800sqm extension to the Crook Community Leisure building.

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Sport England objected, saying the artificial pitch did not meet their playing fields policy.

Council officers endorsed this, advising this was "not a priority area", there were already 3G pitches at venues like Willington Parkside, questioning the need for the proposals and where investment would come from.

Debating the proposal, Councillor Jim Atkinson said: "There just doesn't seem to be enough work done here. They need to have another go at it, try again."

Cllr Eddy Adam said: "There is insufficient detail in relation to the sustainability of the swimming pool.

"I'm minded to refuse this, but I'm reluctant to refuse it. There is real benefit there in terms of the health and wellbeing of the community."

Cllr Eddy Adam. Picture: Durham County Council.

Cllr Shirley Quinn said: "This to me just looks like a wish list rather than an application. We would all like a swimming pool in our own towns and villages, but in reality it's not a reality, is it?"

Cllr Sam Zair said suggested asking the applicant "to do more homework".

He said: "Since the demolition of a perfectly good swimming pool in Crook 15 years or so ago, people have been crying out for a swimming pool.

"It's just a shame how this application has panned out. It's just raggy."

Cllr Sam Zair. Picture: Durham County Council.

Councillors were advised they could not lawfully approve the application anyway because there was not enough information about ecology and possible impacts on protected species.

In another plan considered in the same meeting, Crook Community Leisure proposed to build 29 affordable homes and apartments with two community workshops on land near the Peases West Sports Centre.

The five terraces, with six bungalows, a children's play area, allotments and parking, would be surrounded by fields.

The public sent nine letters in support, two objecting.

Council officers objected and expressed concerns about poor design, drainage, loss of open space, biodiversity, lack of detail and conflicts with policy, and the applicant did not give more information in response.

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Cllr Patricia Jopling said: "It doesn't seem as though it's in the right position to build these houses, and it does take away a lot of common land there that's used."

Cllr Eddy Adam said: "There's no detail in terms of the proposal. It just seems an odd application to come forward."

Cllr Douglas Oliver said: "Overall I'd be minded to refuse this, but in general I'm very keen to support affordable housing so it seems a shame what might have been developed into a decent proposal has been hamstrung by a lack of engagement by the applicant."

Cllr Shirley Quinn said: "It is a shame because it would be affordable housing for people and I actually do like the design."

Cllr Neville Jones added: "To me this just looks very premature."

Planning officers recommended both plans for refusal, the applicants did not attend the planning meeting and councillors voted unanimously to refuse both plans.

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