Plans for 187 new homes in a County Durham town have been approved despite significant opposition from residents. 

The new housing estate will be built in Spennymoor, on land north and west of Almond Close, after it was passed at a Durham County Council planning meeting on Tuesday. 

An application detailing plans for 214 homes was initially submitted to the local authority but was later revised and amended after a public consultation. 

The new development, due to be built by Countryside Partnerships North, will include 28 affordable homes. 

The Northern Echo: The new development, due to be built by Countryside Partnerships North, will include 28 affordable homes. The new development, due to be built by Countryside Partnerships North, will include 28 affordable homes. (Image: Handout)

But local councillors bemoaned the increase of new housing estates in the town. Cllr Liz Maddison said: “Spennymoor has been a building site for 20 years, we neither need nor want this development. Our NHS services are at full capacity. 

“My estate, where I live, is subject to flooding and that has been a result of a lot of developments.”

Pete Molloy, also county councillor for the town, added: “Spennymoor has had a lot of housing developments in the town in recent years. I oppose this planning application because the site has not been identified in Durham County Council’s Plan for housing.”

Gerald Summerbell, who lives next to the proposed site, argued that residents’ concerns with the scheme had been “completely disregarded” during the planning process. He added: “Us residents will be greatly affected by the development.”

The meeting heard from the local authority’s planning officer who stressed the need for new developments to be integrated within existing housing.

“We don’t want developments which just exist next to settlements and are part of them,” Steve France said. 

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A statement from the application read: “The design of the Spennymoor scheme will deliver a development that contributes towards the quality of the environment and sense of identity within County Durham. Scheme proposals will provide for high-quality family homes integrated within the landscape. 

“It will include connectivity and integration with existing communities allowing walking distance for new residents to key facilities and amenities.”

Councillors on the planning committee initially voted to refuse the application after hearing of the impact the development could have on the area, but later approved the scheme following advice from the local authority’s legal officer.