STANHOPE MEETING DISCUSSES PLANNING APPLICATION
A MEETING called by residents who live close to a piece of land subject to a planning application for
five new houses was held in St Thomas Church Hall on Saturday (February 15).
It was attended by around 40 people, including County Councillors Anita Savory and John
Shuttleworth but organised by those who the application will most affect – the close residents.
Cllr Savory spoke as the meeting opened to say that she would be listening to what was said but
as a member of the Planning Committee, she was unable to take part in any debates. She said at the
end of the meeting that as not everyone could attend today she encourages those who have
attended to speak to neighbours afterwards and tell them what was discussed.
The application is for the erection of five dwellings with access and parking on overgrown and
apparently waste ground south of Fair View in the High Street, Stanhope and accessed from Graham
Street. It seeks permission for the change of use of the land and the erection of four semi-detached
four-bedroom houses and one two-bedroom house. The intention, says the application, is to
redevelop this land for a ‘productive economic use’ in accordance with National Planning Policy
Framework, to make efficient use of land and improve economic, social and environmental
conditions of the area.
The houses will all include large gardens and either a garage or parking spaces. Vehicle access to
the site would be taken from Graham Street via the existing opening within the boundary wall which
would be widened to allow vehicles. Also, the existing lane from Front Street which serves the
garages of 55, 57 and 63 Front Street, will be extended to access the two proposed garages in the
South-West corner of the site.
The proposal introduces new built development into what is currently an undeveloped parcel of
land within the Conservation Area but, older residents recall was once allotments. The character of
the site will change from one of unmanaged woodland/garden to a managed site with built
development. There will be a change in the existing characteristics of the site. However, the planning
application states, views of the site are relatively contained from outside the wider immediate
properties. Something that those at the meeting disputed.
Paul, a resident who spoke first, reminded those there what the application was about and that
the deadline for comments – and objections – was February 27 th . This could be done on line at
Durham County Council’s Planning Portal but also by writing letters if it is not possible for anyone to
access the internet. When it became apparent that not everyone there had access to the internet,
both County Councillors said objections could be sent to them via email OR by letter to their homes
or at Woodhall’s Fruit Shop.
It was said that some important documentation was missing from the planning application on
DCC’s website and Paul also reminded those there that a previous application in 2023 for holiday
homes had been refused on the grounds of unsuitable access.
The access road to Graham Street was the main bone of contention by residents at the meeting
who cited many occasions when access had been not only restricted but impossible. One person
highlighted that it was not wide enough for a fire engine and another that an ambulance had not
been able to access on one occasion.
The meeting agreed that traffic and highways were problems but Paul also highlighted boundary
issues too as well as conservation, bio diversity and wildlife problems as well as the worries about
what would happen to mature trees on the site. The design and materials of the new houses were
not in keeping with the surroundings was a point discussed too.
One resident spoke about land contamination where the applicant had ticked the ‘no’ box to say
there was no contamination. “What about Radon Gas?’, he asked with murmurings of agreement
from others. Radon Gas is a problem in Weardale and indeed is included as a priority in new builds
here.
Another who attended asked about the ‘change of use’ aspect of the application, saying that the
land in question was once a village green. The meeting heard that any objections MUST be material
planning objections, that is, they must be relevant within the legislation surrounding planning.
Indeed there are already letters of objection on the planning application, including one from
Stanhope Parish Council.
Another resident pointed out that in 2023, residents had met in the church hall then and what he
was hearing were the same objections and reminded everyone that the previous application was
refused. ‘This is just the same as the last one,’ he said. “What has changed?’
Some of the trees on the site are under Protection Orders, said another resident, but none of
those are shown in the photographs on the planning application.
There included a discussion about the Design and Heritage statement on the application as well
as why an archaeological survey had not been done, given that in the past items of interest had been
found in gardens. “There could be evidence of early Stanhope on that land.”
The bat colonies were also a worry along with the existence of rare Hover Flies in the discussion
around bio-diversity and conservation. There were comments about the increase in carbon
emissions, noise pollution, the loss of wildlife. There was a question about the landowner and could
residents engage in conversation with him regarding a possible solution to what he would accept
and what residents would like.
At the end of the meeting, it was suggested that those there should look again at the previous
refusal letter from Durham County Council because ‘nothing has changed since then, the same
problems arise’.
The meeting closed after an hour.
For more information visit the website at : DM/25/00139/FPA | Erection of 5 No. dwellings with
access and parking | Land South Of Fair View High Street Stanhope DL13 2UR
County Councillors’ emails:
