Proposal for 162 homes in Startforth recommended for approval by county council

Tom Hustler and Gill Hay, from the Homes and
Communities Agency which is selling the site

Controversial plans to build 162 new houses in Startforth have been recommended for approval.
Durham County Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday, April 4, when councillors will be told any impact on school places, infrastructure and the road network is within “acceptable” limits.
Kier Living submitted the planning application to Durham County Council last December seeking permission to build family homes on land next to Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution.
The development would include 55 two-bedroom houses, 48 three-bedroom properties and 59 four-bedroom homes, including 24 affordable homes.
Barnard Castle Town Council objected to the plans on the grounds that there would be “significant harm to the character, quality and distinctiveness of the landscape.” Councillors were also concerned about traffic, parking and noise which they said would be “detrimental” to the character of the conservation area.
However, planning officials say that the visual impact would be “localised and minimised” and the site would have an “acceptable impact on the wider highway network.”
Six letters of objection were received from the public, including one from Teesdale Conservation Volunteers.
The community composting group, known as Rotters, believes the development would hamper their operations nearby.
Other issues raised by residents included the lack of demand for new housing, the lack of employment for potential occupiers and the impact it would have on local services such as the GP surgery and schools.
However, council officers say the closure of Startforth Morritt Primary School last year would not be an issue.
According to the council’s school places and admissions manager: “...there are sufficient primary and secondary school places to accommodate the additional pupils likely to be produced from this development.”
Planning officials also believe that affordable housing is needed in the area.
The report states that “the provision of affordable housing in an area where the supply of housing is lacking is a benefit of the scheme, along with the provision of 15 per cent affordable properties. This would contribute to the economic and social aspects of sustainability.”
Access to the development would be from Lartington Lane. A new access would be created on the A67 for the prison.
If given the go-ahead, the plans will also include a new prison car park for 232 vehicles.
There will also be 416 parking spaces within the development which will include a mix of on-street, drives, single and double garages with space to park at the front or to the side.