Plans to build an extension to Durham Miners' Hall have been lodged with Durham County Council.

These plans form part of a wider renovation of Redhills to be transformed into a facility for culture, heritage and education for the Durham Coalfield area and beyond.

Plans involve the construction of a two-storey rear extension covering a site area of 140 square metres.

The extension is designed to improve the building's functionality, providing additional facilities such as toilets and vertical circulation space.

The new addition will also include alterations to the existing Miners' Hall. The extension will add 25 square metres of internal floor space to the heritage building.

The design of the proposed extension aligns with the existing structure, using red brick and zinc for the exterior.

The application states that there will be minimal impact on nearby biodiversity or geological conservation features.

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It does not require any trade waste disposal or involve residential units.

Provisions for drainage and waste management are integrated into the plan.

The planning application, submitted in July, is part of a broader refurbishment project approved in 2021 and the revised extension is necessary due to funding constraints affecting the viability of the original, larger western extension.

The smaller proposed extension, approximately 100 square metres, will house essential facilities like toilets and circulation space.

While the smaller extension addresses current financial limitations, it has been designed as an interim solution.

The design allows for the possibility of replacing it with the originally proposed larger extension when additional funding becomes available.

The new design maintains the architectural quality, using similar materials and detailing consistent with the original building.

An addendum to the Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that, although there will be minor harm to some heritage elements, the overall project provides significant benefits through the restoration and enhancement of Redhills.

This addendum, submitted in May, addresses changes to the plan due to funding and practical issues that have arisen since work began.

The new smaller extension will meet functional needs like fire safety while preserving the option to expand in the future.