A bid to expand a builders merchant’s site in County Durham has been dismissed by a planning inspector. 

Joseph Parr Ltd had applied for a new building to be used as a customer display area and a new storage shed at the former Olivers Garden Centre, Chester Moor. 

However, the planning application was refused by Durham County Council’s planning committee in March 2023. 

Residents and councillors labelled the proposal “inappropriate” and harmful to the green belt.

Neighbours warned that the large vehicles accessing the site would have a negative impact on the nearby housing estate.Neighbours warned that the large vehicles accessing the site would have a negative impact on the nearby housing estate. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Neighbours warned that the large vehicles accessing the site would have a negative impact on the nearby housing estate. One resident told a planning meeting that large lorries had often got stuck down the cul-de-sac. 

However, the government planning inspector called to review the applicant’s appeal said the council had not objected in relation to highway safety and did not fully consider the concerns. 

Objections concerning the visual impact of the proposal and its location were supported, however. 

A decision notice from the planning inspector read: “In terms of the proposal’s visual impact, it would introduce built development onto land that is largely visually open. 

Joseph Parr Ltd had applied for a new building to be used as a customer display area and a new storage shed at the former Olivers Garden Centre, Chester Moor. Joseph Parr Ltd had applied for a new building to be used as a customer display area and a new storage shed at the former Olivers Garden Centre, Chester Moor. (Image: The Northern Echo)

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“As a result, and given its location, design, size, bulk, massing, and scale, I consider that the proposal would have a significant adverse visual impact on this openness.

“The proposal would erode the spatial and visual openness of the green belt and therefore would clearly conflict with the fundamental aim of national green belt policy. 

“For similar reasons, the proposal would therefore also represent a clear encroachment into the countryside.”