Plan for coal yard backed despite fears

An application to create a business on part of the former Westerton Coal Stocking Yard, on the outskirts of Spennymoor, has been granted.

But the permission will only last for two years in case concerns over traffic turning on to a busy road prove founded.

The application is for a site to store 130 mobile caravans in a secure compound, instead of owners leaving them on the street.

The yard, near Binchester, was the subject of a controversial plan to establish a worm farm five years ago.

But that application was turned down because of fears of the smell caused by the compressed sewage sludge used to feed the millions of worms.

The new proposal was discussed by members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee yesterday.

The site would use an existing access on to the A688, and although highways officers raised no objections, the Durham county engineer has requested road improvements.

These include providing a central reservation island in the junction to prevent motorists performing U-turns.

Councillor Jim Wayman said he felt cars with caravans attached should not be allowed to turn right on to the road because they would have to cross a busy carriageway.

He compared the road layout with a similar exit from his home village of Sedgefield, where there have been three fatalities, and suggested the access road should run on to a traffic island at the north of the site.

He said: "I don't accept this as a solution to the problem and I can foresee major problems.

"The loss of one life is too much of a price to pay, and in my opinion, the exit road should be put into the roundabout."

Planning officer Andrew Farnie said he had already raised the issues with the county engineer, who said he felt there would only be sporadic use of the access road and the proposed arrangements were acceptable.

In spite of this, he suggested that temporary consent be granted for two years to check the access was safe.