Plans to demolish two 'redundant' County Durham cottages to make way for a new house have been approved by the council.
The proposal, put forward by Mr J Alderson, will see the redevelopment of a site at 7 South Side, Butterknowle, Bishop Auckland.
Covering 224 square metres, the site will be transformed into a four-bedroom house complete with a front porch and solar PV panels on the roof.
The cottages have been deemed "redundant" by the council, justifying their demolition and replacement.
A new dwelling will align in height and design with nearby terrace properties, using local rubble walling and cream render, creating a visual harmony with the surrounding area.
The roof will be blue slate with grey GRP, and existing timber windows and doors will be replaced with uPVC and composite alternatives, respectively.
The current post and mesh fencing will be replaced by a drystone wall.
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Despite being in an area of higher landscape value, the development was deemed to have minimal visual intrusion and would maintain the rural character of the area.
No impact was noted on the privacy or light of neighbouring properties, and the new layout is expected to provide adequate light and space for occupants.
There were no objections from the highway authority, despite the plan not providing any new off-street parking.
Durham County Council deemed existing street parking sufficient, as the total bedroom count for the site remains the same.
The development is also not in a flood-prone area, and a soakaway system will be used for surface water disposal.
However, being in a coal mining area, any coal mining hazards discovered during construction must be reported.
The site will also need to include a bat box, although no further biodiversity impact has been noted.
The development was approved on November 12, 2024, and must begin within three years.
Before construction begins, a broadband connection plan and a greenhouse gas minimisation scheme must be approved.
Cycle storage must also comply with council standards before the house can be occupied.
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