Eco-group rallies support to fight plan for 162 homes in Startforth

A COMMUNITY composting group is rallying its members in bid to prevent plans for 162 homes going ahead.
Kier Living wants to construct the houses on land in front of Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, in Startforth. But it is claimed the development would seriously hamper operations at nearby Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (Rotters).
The composting site has been run by Martin and Jill Bacon for 20 years.
Rotters is also responsible for garden waste collections in Teesdale.
Mr Bacon says depending on wind direction, work will have to cease occasionally to prevent the stench of compost and noise from operations carrying to the homes.
He adds that this will disrupt operations for about a fifth of the year, making the site unviable. Sound and odour reports in the planning application confirm that noise and stench from composting activities does carry to much of the area covered by the proposed development.
However, the Homes and Communities Agency, which has agreed a conditional sale of the land to Kier Living, says noise and odour are within acceptable levels.
But Rotters say there will be complaints if the homes are built. Mr Bacon has taken on a planning consultant, and noise and odour experts, to challenge the application and hopes to pay for this by starting an online fundraising campaign. A short film is being put together to support the protest.
Rotters hopes to mobilise as many of its members as possible to attend the county planning meeting that will have the final say.
Mr Bacon said: “Over two years ago we heard about the plans via a Rotters member so we contacted the Homes and Communities Agency and said ‘do you know there is a composting site next door’.
“We offered to sell the site to them and move on. They were not interested at all. They just want to sell the land and pocket the cash. They wouldn’t even negotiate with us. I offered them so many solutions, they are not interested in any of them.”
Among the solutions, he says, was a proposal to build a barn over the work site or to buy new machinery which is less noisy.
He said: “If Durham sees fit to give planning permission there is nothing to protect us. We will have to close.”
The council is disputing claims that it has not notified Rotters about the proposal as is legally obliged to.
Stuart Timmiss, Durham County Council’s head of planning and assets, said: “We can confirm that a consultation letter was sent to Teesdale Conservation Volunteers. We look forward to Mr Bacon’s comments on the application, which we will consider along with all other representations regarding this application.”
Although it has yet to be confirmed when the application will be put to the
planning committee, Mr Bacon says he will be there to object.
Mr Bacon added: “I will try and get as many Rotters members as possible to roll up to County Hall.”
Barnard Castle Town Council has objected to the proposal on the basis that it will harm the views from the castle walls and Scar Top.
Town councillors also say there are not enough amenities in the area to support the development and the closure of Startforth School has not been taken into account. Kier Living’s design and access statement refers to the school as being open.
A number of people living in Startforth have also objected to the plans.