CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a ‘mirrored palace’, which neighbours claim threaten a burial ground and priory, have won the backing of council officials.

Durham County Council planners are recommending councillors approve the Bremner family’s plans to demolish a bungalow and two garages to make way for the five-bedroomed Bellevue House, off Claypath, in Durham City, next week.

Neighbours, who dubbed the scheme the ‘mirrored palace’, say it would have too many mirrored glass windows, would disrupt England’s largest Quaker graveyard and affect St Antony’s Priory, a retreat centre which attracts 5,000 visitors a year.

They claim it would be out of character with the area, invade their privacy and ruin stunning views of Durham Castle and Cathedral.

The City of Durham Trust conservation group has also objected.

However, project architect David Kendall said Bellevue House would be a modest family home.

The application is going before a committee at the request of Elvet councillor David Freeman.

However, there have been no objections from the highways authority, Natural England or English Heritage.

In a supporting statement, the developers say the building’s design is influenced by the Cathedral and its shape would compliment the characteristics and rhythms of Durham’s built forms, sitting well within the townscape.

In a report to councillors, senior planning officer Steven France writes: "This has been a contentious application, albeit among a small number of immediate residents.

"However, it is officers’ opinion that the revised design has mitigated to a degree appropriate to allow support, the issues of specific impact raised as of concern to adjacent householders.

"Neither the polices to protect the World Heritage Site or the conservation area are designed to stifle new, innovative contemporary design, but to ensure a quality of development appropriate for the historic environment.

"The use of a mix of traditional apex roofs, massing and materials in a contemporary design helps achieved this, in an area of the city where many windows look towards the Cathedral."

The ‘minimal’ works proposed for the graveyard are ‘respectful and appropriate’, Mr France suggests.

The application is set to be debated by Durham County Council’s central and east Durham area planning committee meeting at County Hall, Durham, on Tuesday, June 14, at 1pm.