Appeal lodged after Consett affordable homes plan refused

Plans for 32 affordable and eight self-build homes had been lodged for a site in Delves Lane, Consett. 

The applicant, Ray Mansell, said there is a “clear and dire need” for more affordable housing in County Durham. 

However, a planning committee rejected the proposal in April after significant opposition from residents. 

Plans for 32 affordable and eight self-build homes had been lodged for a site in Delves Lane, Consett. (Image: Handout)

Mr Mansell was told a significant development of 288 homes has already been approved on land near Greenways Court Care Home and vital open space would be lost. 

Durham County Council received 112 objections from residents, who warned the site would become overdeveloped and local services would not cope with excess traffic. 

In a statement, submitted as part of the application, Mr Mansell said: “Durham is one of the most needy councils in England with regard to a massive deficiency of affordable housing and that the only method of recording it that seems to be used is new affordable housing on the back of market housing schemes.”

However, Durham County Council’s planning authority also urged committee members to refuse the application.

Officers said the development failed to “demonstrate the need for the level of affordable housing proposed on this site” and “would fail to make financial contributions necessary to mitigate the impact of the development on local education and healthcare facilities.”

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The proposal and the council’s decision will now be reviewed by a Government planning inspector. 

An appeal statement on behalf of Mr Mansell read: “There is a clear and dire need for more affordable housing across County Durham. This need is not spread evenly across the area and is particularly acute within East Durham and North West Durham monitoring areas. 

“Over the past decade (2013-2023), housing affordability has remained largely stagnant across County Durham. The Delves Lane area is slightly less affordable than the county average.

"In the last five years rents have increased by nearly 11 per cent. Indicating that whilst not as acute as elsewhere little progress has been made in relation to making housing more affordable across the county."