Plans to demolish a County Durham bungalow to make way for a newly built home have been approved by Darlington Borough Council.

A planning application that was granted on Friday, submitted by Mark Penn, from Heighington, involves tearing down the bungalow on Mill Lane, Redworth, near Darlington, along with a lodge and storage building.

The rebuilt home will also be single-storey.

According to the planning application, the 0.8-hectare site, part of a larger 6.7-hectare plot owned by Mr Penn, is currently used for equestrian activities and is in a low-risk flood zone.

The pre-development biodiversity was calculated at 1.13 units, but a biodiversity metric calculation submitted by the applicant shows compliance with the legal requirements for biodiversity net gain.

A design and access statement submitted with the application emphasised sustainability and energy efficiency, with features such as a green roof, photovoltaic panels, and air source heat pumps.

Most read

Get the most out of your local news with The Northern Echo Subscribe now and enjoy access for the whole of 2025 for only £25 or enjoy your first six months for £6. Don’t miss out on our biggest sale of the year.

The new home will maintain the height of the existing bungalow and occupy a similar footprint, with a modest increase in developed area of 9.2 per cent.

Materials like timber cladding, metal roofing, and a permeable driveway surface are part of the sustainable construction plan.

Proposals were assessed under Darlington Local Plan policies, which support sustainable rural development. Despite the larger footprint, the proposal complies with policy goals.

The application was approved on November 29, subject to conditions.

These include starting the development within three years, adhering to specified plans, and restricting occupancy of the dwelling to individuals associated with the equestrian use of the land.

External materials and energy-efficient features will require prior approval.

Wildlife enhancements, such as bat boxes, must be installed before occupation and maintained throughout the dwelling's lifespan.

The site is near Redworth, surrounded by agricultural fields with some residential neighbours to the south.

It has historically been used for agricultural and equestrian purposes.

No objections were raised by technical officers, the Environment Agency, or Heighington Parish Council.