Unanimous vote against plans for 100 homes just off busy A68

PLANS to build 100 new houses just off the busy A68 in Toft Hill have been knocked back by planners.

An outline planning application for a residential development on open agricultural land at Holme Farm was met with a raft of objections earlier this year.

Durham County Council’s south and west area planning committee met last Thursday, September 21, to make a final decision.

A total of 100 letters of objection were received. Concerns raised included visual impact, loss of green space, lack of amenities, an unreliable bus service and the loss of mature trees on the highway verge. Residents feared there would be an increase in traffic but no objection was made by the highway authority.

The proposed access was from the A68 west of Osbourne Bungalow.

A revised layby arrangement was proposed which would have seen it move westward along the A68. The existing public right of way would also have been accommodated within the site.

Senior planning officer Graham Blakey said: “Concerns have been raised by spatial policy and sustainability officers regarding the location of the site.

“Landscape [officers] object to the loss of the highway trees in order to access the site.

“It is identified that the proposals would result in adverse impacts through poor access to services and facilities and a great reliance on the private motor car.”

The committee heard a statement from county councillor Heather Smith which read: “There has been an enormous opposition from residents. I have yet to meet anyone in favour of it.”

An agent, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee how the plans would increase the size of Toft Hill by a tenth. He said: “Toft Hill is the third largest medium-sized village in County Durham and the largest medium-sized village in the south of the county.

“This development would be a ten per cent increase in the size of the settlement.

“The houses will bring significant support to the existing local services.”

The committee heard how “significant areas of open space” were included to offset the loss of the trees.

Despite urging committee members to seriously consider the proposals, he failed to sway their decision.

Cllr George Richardson proposed that the committee went with the officer’s recommendation and refuse the application.

He said: “Having listened to the officer and knowing the area and the busyness of the road, the infrastructure, the fact that this road leads to Bishop Auckland and Tindale and how many pinch points there are, I think I will have to go with the officers’ recommendation. I can’t see any way forward with this one.”

Vice chairman Cllr John Clare said: “A ten per cent increase in size is huge to me. The impact, which seems to be the main point the officers are making, is going to be huge. I have to say that I absolutely agree with George.”

The application was refused following a unanimous vote.