Plans to demolish a County Durham church to build two houses have been approved by the council.

The former Methodist Church on Front Street, Hesleden, which has been closed since 2021, will be torn down to make way for two three-bedroom semi-detached homes.

Plans were submitted by David Graham and will be carried out by agent Paul Baxter.

The new properties will be constructed using red brick, slate roofing, and white uPVC, to blend in with the surrounding buildings with the houses facing Front Street and having private rear gardens and parking spaces.

While the gardens are slightly smaller than the recommended nine-metre length, the proximity to public open spaces makes this acceptable, according to planning documents.

The new development is also focused on sustainability, with each house having electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

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Despite each house having only one parking space, less than the recommended two, the current demand levels justify this deviation, according to the council.

The development poses a low risk to local wildlife and is exempt from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements due to minimal ecological disruption according to planning documents.

A financial contribution has been secured for the Durham Heritage Coast Management Plan to offset any broader impacts.

Councillor Rob Crute had requested the preservation of the church cornerstone for the local community.

One public comment was received, raising questions about construction boundaries and electrical cabling, but no objections to the project were expressed.

The council's highways department had no objections but suggested a condition for parking details.

Despite having some historical significance, the church was deemed by the council to have limited architectural value and the decision to demolish the building was supported due to its poor state and previous modifications.

The development complies with County Durham Plan policies, including those related to unallocated development, sustainable transport, and design.

It also aligns with the National Planning Policy Framework guidance on sustainable development and effective land use.

The development is expected to start within three years, with conditions in place for construction materials, EV charging points, and greenhouse gas reduction measures.