16 Bungalows proposal in Coundon refused by council again

Mandale Homes’ planning application for 16 homes in Coundon, County Durham, was refused by a Durham County Council planning committee. 

The housing developer’s proposal included plans for a cul-de-sac containing five two-bed bungalows and 11 three-bed bungalows on land west of Church Street.

However, residents argued the proposed development is a ‘cut and paste’ of another application that was refused in December 2023 after a planning committee heard residents’ concerns over the plans for 51 homes on the same site. 

Church Street, Coundon, where developer Mandale Homes hoped to build the bungalows (Image: Google)

Residents said local infrastructure would not be able to cope with the increased demand. Meanwhile, Durham County Council planning officers said the proposal’s poor design and housing mix would adversely impact the surrounding area. 

Councillor Charlie Kay, of Coundon ward, said the greenfield site at Church Street must be preserved. “We don’t want it to be concreted over by a poorly thought out and poorly executed application,” he said. 

Mandale Homes appealed the decision and it is now being considered by a government planning inspector. 

The latest application was again recommended for refusal by the local authority’s planning department and also faced opposition from 23 objection letters penned by locals. 

Addressing the criticism, Mandale Homes said: “In light of the previously refused scheme, which is presently subject to a live appeal, the latest proposals are for a dramatically reduced quantum of development on land that has had residential permission before.

“In addition, effort has been made to improve the design of the proposed dwellings in response to previous comments, by introducing water tabling and chimney pots, which are noticeable features on existing dwellings opposite. Thus, the scheme will suitably reflect the local context, bearing in mind that such is already highly varied.

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“We note there is a large residential application elsewhere in the village for 156 homes, which is still undetermined after over a year. Surely members would agree that it would be better for Coundon to be subject to smaller residential development, such as that proposed by our client, rather than large applications that appear to be completely out-of-scale with the village.”

However, the planning committee once again ruled to refuse the application. The council said the proposed development was outside the built-up area of Coundon within the defined countryside. 

“The development is considered to represent poor design that adversely impacts on the character and appearance of the surrounding area,” the planning department said.