A public inquiry between a county council and housing developers for a new estate north of Durham has concluded. 

Durham County Council, Bellway Homes and County Durham Land (CDL) were locked in a two-week dispute over plans for a large new housing development at Sniperley Park. The parties have disputed details of the development for several years, after planning officers previously said it was ‘minded to refuse’ two applications in 2022.

Now, the final decision is due to be decided by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Housing and Levelling Up, following a report by a planning inspector. 

The inquiry considered four planning appeals from the two developers. They include proposals to build up to 1,550 homes, a local centre, public house and primary school; and for up to 370 dwellings next to Sniperley Park and Ride, and the demolition or conversion of former farm buildings. 

The Northern Echo: The new housing estate is due to be built on land north of Sniperley park and Ride, near the A167The new housing estate is due to be built on land north of Sniperley park and Ride, near the A167 (Image: Google)

The County Durham Plan allows for 1,700 houses to be built as a “sustainable urban expansion” at Sniperley Park on former green belt land west of the A167. But local authority planning officers said both developers haven’t provided enough detail around the extra infrastructure and services in the area and that it is in conflict with the local plan. 

And in a closing statement at the inquiry, the council called for more clarity. “Whilst considerable progress has been made and CDL have adopted a position of overall responsibility for delivery their proposal still falls short of what can be expected for a fully policy compliant scheme,” its statement read. 

“For example, CDL remains reliant on the council to deliver important elements of the overall scheme including Park and Ride. Bellway is seen in a completely different light as it is unable to secure a means by which it can secure compliance with Policy 5. The Secretary of State should not cross his fingers and hope for the best.”

CDL said the scheme would provide numerous economic, social and environmental benefits, and deliver comprehensive public and active travel transport provision. “The proposal delivers a suitably sized primary school at the appropriate time and off-sets pupil demand with a contribution to Framwellgate School,” CDL said.   

Representatives for the developer said it has already faced several obstacles and it now “ought to be granted without delay”. 

CDL added: “It is a scheme which is consistent with the development plan; secured by appropriate conditions and planning obligations and, subject to discrete points to be determined in either party’s favour, it is agreed that there are no longer any reasons to refuse consent.

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“It would be a travesty of effort and contrary to the public interest for this appeal to be dismissed. Indeed, Durham County Council’s position is in reality one of imposing its preferred controls rather than those of the appellant.”

Bellway told the inquiry that even the council is “desperate” for the development to go ahead. A closing statement concluded: “There can be little doubt by the end of this inquiry how urgent the delivery of this allocation is in the present circumstances. The schemes speak for themselves, and if the last three weeks are anything to go by, the council are now desperate, too, to see it being realised.”

The outcome of the inquiry is due to be delivered later this year.