Six warehouses to be built in Chester-le-Street Drum Industrial Estate

Arbucc (Drum) Ltd asked for planning permission to build six detached units on the four-hectare employment site near Drum Industrial Estate, Drum Road, Chester-le-Street.

Richard Wilks from Argon Properties said it was "the last remaining piece of the jigsaw" for the Drum Industrial Estate and a workable and viable plan for a long-vacant brownfield site and after six years' work.

He said: "We believe we've at last found a development solution that can be taken forward on this site.

A 3D visualisation of what the proposed industrial units near Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street will look like. Picture: QAD Architects. (Image: QAD Architects)

"The proposals provide a much-needed industrial accommodation to this part of Durham and should help to create and safeguard jobs in the area.

"The units should also help to stimulate further investment and revenue from which County Durham will benefit."

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Pelton and North Lodge parish councils objected, as did three letters from the public, raising concerns about nearby homes, noise and light pollution, parking, landscaping, poor quality links and biodiversity, green belt impact, design and lack of consultation.

Councillor Clare Todd from Pelton Parish Council said the plan would increase the "persistent noise and light pollution" which residents were feeling.

A 3D visualisation of what the proposed industrial units near Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street will look like. Picture: QAD Architects. (Image: QAD Architects)

She said: "Already the noise from the site is affecting us in the area and the light pollution is on all the time. It's constant light pollution now.

"While this impact over a period will be worse for some than others, we consider that doing the minimum... does not prevent or resolve these impacts."

Mr Wilks responded they had carried out comprehensive air and noise surveys concluding the effects would be "negligible", and a light assessment would be done.

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Senior planning officer Louisa Ollivere said: "Amenity impacts can be controlled and are insufficient to withhold planning permission.

"The benefits are considered to outweigh the impacts and therefore approval is recommended."

Debating the plan, county councillor Craig Martin said noise and light pollution was an issue and environmental health needed to mitigate and control such issues once it was known what would go into the units, but these were not planning issues which would stop the development.

He said: "Whatever will go there will cause a problem.

"It is a lot better in terms of less harm to the community that there was previously.

Cllr Craig Martin. Picture: Durham County Council.

"We have to face facts that this is an industrial building going on an already built industrial site. It is very difficult to say no to this application."

Cllr Alan Bell said he felt the light and noise issues could be tackled: "It's bringing jobs into the area. For me it's a no-brainer."

Cllr Carl Marshall said: "I think in the current climate these jobs are needed more than ever. It's creating jobs, it's improving the economy."

Councillors approved the plan with conditions including a requirement for the developer to spend £106,000 on ecology and biodiversity.

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