Hope new housing estate will attract more people to live in Crook

Plans for the 256-home development in Crook were approved by Durham County Council despite opposition from residents. 

The applicant, Persimmon Homes, initially intended to build 467 homes on land to the north of High West Road but scaled it back to 256. The site, allocated for housing in the County Durham Plan, will contain a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses and bungalows. There will also be affordable housing and a pledge that every home will have its own private garden. 

However, some residents were not convinced by the housing developer’s proposal. The local authority received 54 objections, which said the site is a poor location for housing and there are better alternative sites elsewhere. The loss of agricultural land and existing vacant housing in Crook was also raised. 

Plans for the 256-home development in Crook were approved by Durham County Council (Image: Persimmon Homes)

Just one letter of support was received following the publication of the plans, which praised the provision of affordable housing and said nearby businesses would benefit from increased footfall. 

Nearby resident Robbie Roddis said the new estate would exacerbate safety issues for drivers on the A689. He added that no credence has been given to residents’ concerns and the developer has “ploughed on” with the plans. 

His concerns were supported by Conservative councillor for the town, Cllr Patricia Jopling, who voted against the development. She said: “I’m really worried about the flooding because it seems, to me, that not enough can be done. I just feel that I cannot support this. It’s just not right for Crook.”

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The new estate will be built on land to the north of High West Road (Image: Google)

But Independent county councillor for the town, Cllr Anne Reed, told a planning meeting: “It will showcase Crook as an enviable place to live, work and bring up a family.”

Persimmon Homes said the development would create “a new gateway to Crook” and will be well-served by existing services and facilities including bus routes. 

Adam McVickers, land and planning manager at Persimmon Homes, told the meeting the site would “deliver a valuable addition to the town and support Durham’s ambition to meet local housing needs and make a real difference to the lives of local people.”