STANHOPE PARISH COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Council held in Eastgate Village Hall on 5th February 2025
PRESENT: Cllr J Shuttleworth, Cllr D Craig, Cllr Mrs D Sutcliff, Cllr P Turton, Cllr Mrs S Smart, Cllr M
Brewin, Cllr R Lawrie, Cllr Mrs A Hawkes, Cllr E Buchanan, Cllr Mrs S Thompson Cllr Miss J Carrick –
Chairman Susan Anderson – Clerk 11032 Apologies for Absence Cllr Mrs C Burdis, Cllr L Blackett,
Cllr Mrs A Savory.
To Receive any Declarations of Interest from Members None received.
Minutes of the meeting held on 4th December 2024 Minutes were moved as a true and correct
record and were signed by the Chairman 11035 Lawrence Barton – CI Charity Mr Barton has
cancelled.
Matters Arising
FOOTPATH AT GREENHEAD, STANHOPE – a resident who reported that there was a locked footpath
gate at Greenhead enquired if the footpath officer had been to investigate this. An update has been
asked for.
FOOTPATH 14 – ASHES QUARRY -Residents have been complaining about the closed footpath no 14
in Ashes Quarry. An email has been sent asking if there is any progress in getting the bridges
repaired so that the footpath can be re-opened. As yet there is no resolution to this issue. The
bridges are private with public access in the form of a public footpath across them. Responsibility for
maintenance/ replacement lies with the landowner, rather than DCC. Further discussions will be
taking place.
EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN WEARDALE – Inspector Sammut has passed our email onto the local NPT
for their awareness.
SHITTLEHOPEBURN, STANHOPE – The rights of way officer will look to getting the fallen trees
removed at Shittlehopeburn.
NORTH EAST AMBULANCE SERVICE- Our concerns have been passed onto the operational managers
for the area to address with the local crews.
RIVERSIDE CARAVAN PARK FROSTERLEY- The planning application has still not been received
although the developer has confirmed they are working on it.
NORTHERN LITHIUM – Mr Stringer has sent an update which has been sent to the councillors.
Equipment has recently been delivered to Ludwell which will be used to carry out a 60-day pump
test. It is hoped that the pump test will start in early February and once it is up and running it is the
intention to invite the neighbours and other interested parties to visit the site and view firsthand
what is going on. The Parish Council will also get an invite. After the success of the 2024 Prosperity
Fund the company will shortly be announcing the opening of its 2025 fund. Following the pump test
and a third borehole a new planning application will be prepared to move from the current
exploration stage into full production. The Parish Council and other local stakeholders will be
informed of the plans and activities.
B4RN UPDATE – An update has been received and has been sent to all councillors. The Upper
Weardale B4RN project covers the area from Killhope to the east side of Westgate. The area from
Eastgate to Frosterley is progressing as a separate project. A trained Volunteer Project Group has
been established to work with B4RN and the local community to move forward. The current project
has two areas, Wearhead and St Johns Chapel. Every property in these areas has the opportunity to
be connected to the network, no matter how remote. The project also offers a free connection to all
the public buildings, village halls, schools and places of worship. If viable, the project will attract over
£1M of Government Grants from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for their
Digital Inclusion strategy. The project requires at least 30% of properties to register in order to
progress. The project t imeline objectives are to have wayleaves for the main network routes to be
agreed by Easter 2025. To have sufficient residents and local businesses registered with B4RN as
interested to take the service by Easter 2025. Provided the wayleaves and registrations are sufficient
to make the project viable, plan to begin the Delivery Phase from Summer 2025. The volunteer team
are actively approaching local landowners to discuss wayleaves and work collaboratively with them
to ensure the most appropriate network route is planned. Cllr Shuttleworth has helped by meeting
with the B4RN Project Manager to assist with the locations of the node cabinets in St Johns Chapel
and Wearhead. Once the number of registrations and the wayleaves are in place, the project will
need to raise investment from the local community to cover the part of the costs not funded by the
government grant. The amount of investment needed will depend on the number of registrations for
the service. The Project Group would welcome feedback and any questions from Stanhope Parish
Council. They would also like to know what further updates would be helpful for the Councillors.
Both Allendale and Brough are up and running and the rental charge is around £35 a month.
Correspondence Received
- Some residents contacted the clerk regarding the consultation from Mayor Kim McGuiness about
transport. The residents mentioned that the meetings were being held at Consett and Barnard Castle
and nothing in Weardale. There is no bus service to either venue and not all elderly people can use
the internet for the on-line sessions. The chairman asked the clerk to write to see if a Weardale
venue could be arranged. - A tenant from Crosshill would like to erect a 3m x 3.5m polytunnel. Resolved: Permission granted
- The Weardale Museum sent the Christmas 2024 newsletter which provided a glimpse of ongoing
work and planning for the 40th anniversary of the museum in May 2025. - CDALC has sent an email regarding the DCC Budget consultation. Responses to the consultation
can be submitted by Fri 17 Jan 2025. Email was sent to the councillors. - BT Digital Voice Engagement Event will be coming to Stanhope to share information on the change
from analogue to digital. Sample equipment will be brought along to show people especially the
most vulnerable as they can struggle with technology. - A resident from Frosterley contacted Cllr Mrs Burdis as it’s been requested that the footpath from
the village to the school and the car park should be gritted. It has also been requested that the
footpath be salted passed the Dales Centre. These requests have been sent to DCC to ask if they can
be put onto the winter maintenance. A thank you has been sent to Highways / Clean & Green on
their hard work in keeping the roads open and the footpaths cleared during the recent snow spell. - DCC have sent us copies of The County Council of Durham Public Rights of Way (Public Bridleway
no.98, St Johns Chapel, Stanhope Parish) Modification Order No. 2 2025, The County Council of
Durham Public Rights of Way (Public Bridleway no.99 St Johns Chapel Ward, Stanhope Parish)
Modification order no 3 2025, The County Council of Durham Public Rights of Way (Public Bridleway
no 49, Westgate, Stanhope Parish) Modification Order No 1 2025. - A new Food Resilience Podcast called “Rising Waters” information has been sent which was sent
to the councillors. - We have received again an email on the Safety of lithium-ion batteries campaign which was sent
to the councillors. - Cllr Mrs Sutcliff reported the state of the roadside verges on the Sidehead Road. There are large
communal bins and building materials on them. This has been reported to DCC. - Cllr Turton reported some fly-tipping on the road side down from Weatherhill Cottages. This has
been reported to DCC.
Planning Matters The clerk left the room.
DM/24/02958/FPA PLANNING APPLICATIONS Three-bedroom detached dwelling with off road
parking and amenity space Site between Hope Cottage and Prospect House Crawleyside Objection
sent to this due to the access from Crawleyside Bank. Residents are concerned and contacted a
councillor.
DM/24/03182/LB – DM/24/.03181/FPA Conversion of loft to create additional bedroom and en-suite
including 2 conservation style rooflights to the front and 1 to the rear of the property. Conversion of
outbuilding to boot room/utility and breaking out new doorway to connect to the dwelling and new
window to serve boot room/utility to southern elevation. 6 Longhorn Ends Cowshill
DM/24/03336/FPA – DM/24/02772/LB Internal reconfiguration, replacement windows including
replacing window to the rear with patio doors, installation of roof vents and alterations to boundary
treatments. Chapel House Wearhead.
DM/24/03270/FPA Change of use of ground floor office in existing annex building to residential use
to create standalone annex accommodation with external alterations to create a terraced area and
install new boundary fencing. Removal of existing access ramp to main dwelling, walls and planting
area within the existing garden areas. Installation of new door and external staircase to existing
dwelling house 1A Bridge End Frosterley.
DM/24/03402/PN56 Prior notification under Class Q for the change of use of an agricultural building
to 1 no dwelling house (C30 and associated works. Land north east of Horsley House Eastgate
DM/24/03139/FPA Proposed agricultural building Ludwell Eastgate
DM/25/00048/PN56 Track of 1450M from North East of Noah’s Ark to Clints Plantation, Stanhope.
Prior notification for construction of new access track
DM/25/00049/PN56 Timber Haul Track from unclassified road 15.1 East of East Bewdley to Park
Plantation, Stanhope Prior notification for construction of new access track
DM/25/00084/PA56 Prior approval application for the construction of a new road measuring 110m
with a width of 6m. (relating to previous application
DM/24/01641/PNA) Sunny Bank St Johns Chapel
DM/24/03037/LB New windows to the front elevations ground and first floor. New door to replace
the existing door to the rear store building. 2 Butts Crescent Stanhope
DM/24/03117/FPA Installation of a 10KW heat pump, internal insulation, and 6 solar panels 3
Stotsfieldburn Rookhope.
The clerk came back in.
DM/25/00050/FPA Erection of detached double garage, enlarge hardstanding and creation of
vehicular access. Land to the south East of Briar Barn Ireshopeburn Cllr Mrs Thompson is questioning
the need for two entrances. She feels that it would be more beneficial to pedestrians just to have
the one new entrance. Resolved: Clerk to write to the Planning Department
DM/25/00093/FPA Replacement of all house UPVC white windows and door with triple glazed
timber windows and door in Cotswold green. Replace west facing living room window with French
doors (timber Cotswold green) onto a raised patio area comprised of low stone wall and sandstone
flags. Replace south facing existing patio door with a triple glazed timber window in Cotswold green.
Alteration to existing eastern extension structure. Pitch the current bitumen flat roof and install a
slate roof to match the existing outbuilding and main roof style. External insulation applied and
horizontally timber clad in shiplap British Western red cedar. 12 Hylton Terrace Rookhope
DM/25/00139/FPA Erection of 5 no dwellings with access and parking Land south of Fair View High
Street Stanhope An objection has been received to the Parish Council concerning the above
application. The applicant has plans to use the entrance between the paper shop and the next
building down as access to the two garages to be built. The lane is very narrow and crosses the main
street footpath out onto the main A689 road. There could be two/three cars per house plus visitors
using this proposed access. The building on the corner has a doorway that opens onto the lane and
the flat above the stairwell bottom step is onto the lane. The resident would like to arrange a site
meeting with one of the Parish Councillors. There has been a meeting arranged for Saturday 15th
February 2025 at St Thomas Church Hall commencing at 3.30pm. Cllr Shuttleworth has received
several complaints regarding this application. He would like an objection to go to the planning
department on the grounds of the access and the lie of the land. Resolved: It was agreed to send an
objection in PLANNING APPROVALS Dm/24/02159/VOC Variations of conditions 2 (approved plans)
and 5 (windows) pursuant to planning permission
DM/17/02989/FPA. Alterations to include the introduction of WPVC windows in the side elevations,
omission of openings in rear elevation stonework to rear elevation and rooflights in main roof,
alterations to boundary treatments and demolition of outbuildings (retrospective) St Johns
Methodist Chapel Hood Street St Johns Chapel
DM/24/02617/FPA Demolition of existing farm buildings Land North East of Horsley House Eastgate
DM/24/02777/FPA Porch to front Black Rigg 12 Lanehill Ireshopeburn DM/24/02490/FPA Change of
use of former primary school to 5 no small business units (Class Ea,b,c,e and g and class F2b) and
ancillary facilities/access Rookhope Primary School Rookhope Durham County Council
DM/24/02527/PA56 Prior approval for a portal frame storage shed Littlewood Farm Brotherlee
11039.
Finance 1. The Bank Reconciliations figures for 31st December have been sent to the Councillors for
approval. Resolved: Agreed 2. Printed copies of the NALC Good Councillors Guide are now available
at an estimated cost of £4.00 per copy. NALC have also published a Good Councillors Guide to
Finance. There is a form to fill in if we are interested in any of the publications. Resolved: Clerk to
find out.
11040 CDALC Nothing to report
11041 AAP Report. There is a housing allocation consultation on the DCC website. Cllr Shuttleworth
mentioned that the Local Lettings Policy should give local people first chance of the houses.
Resolved: Clerk to write
11042 Accounts for Payment
January Payments S Anderson salary PAID £903.28 HM Rev PAID £20.96 S Anderson home as office
PAID £35.00 BT Clerks Phone Bill PAID £80.39 February Payments Makepeace Motors climbing frame
net replacement Westgate £4007.00 Mazars external audit £504.00 S Anderson Salary £903.28 HM
Rev £20.96 S Anderson Expenses £55.39 S Anderson Home as Office £35.00 DCC Repair Street
lighting St Johns Chapel £240.00 TOTAL £5765.63 ACCOUNTS FOR RECEIPTS HMRC VAT Refund
£1515.44 DIRECT DEBITS E_ON Ashcroft £22.00 Bank Charges £9.70 Vodafone £44.50 E-on Ashcroft
£25.43 Resolved: Accounts moved Cllr Miss Carrick mentioned the trouble that she had trying to
approve the on-line account payments. The account had been blocked due to a suspect payment
which could have been fraudulent but was genuine. It all got sorted.
11043 New Matters for Discussion
- Cllr Blackett would like a dog bin relocating from the school entrance at Wearhead to the footpath
sign for Cowshill which is about 100 yards from the road. Resolved: Clerk to contact D Hunt - Cllr Mrs Smart asked how much the council tax is going up this year by and it is 4.99% 3. Cllr Mrs
Sutcliff mentioned that she has received a letter from Buckingham Palace that she is to receive some
Maundy Money. The service will be at Durham Cathedral where King Charles will attend. Apparently
76 women and 76 men will receive the coins. Along with Cllr Mrs Sutcliff she knows of another two
people from the dale, Ian Hedley and John Anstee. The councillors thought that this is absolutely
wonderful. - Cllr Turton mentioned the dog fouling along the Riverside Walk in Stanhope. It was suggested that
the schools are contacted to see if the children would design a poster. There would be a prize for
each winner from the schools that enter. The overall winner would get their poster laminated and
used in the area to try and stop the dog fouling. The deadline will be Easter. Resolved: The clerk to
contact the schools.
- Cllr Brewin mentioned an empty house on Wear Terrace, Frosterley and that it is causing damp to
the neighbouring property. This is an on-going problem. - There is also a bungalow down Mill Lane, Frosterley that is deteriorating and rats have been
reported. Cllr Craig thinks that some work is going on to this property. Resolved: Cllr Craig will make
some enquires - Cllr Miss Carrick mentioned the two trees in Eastgate that have recently been reported. The tree
has been removed from the sewage pipe unless there is another one come down. Cllr Mrs Smart will
have a look at this. Resolved: Clerk to contact DCC with regards to the dead tree on Eastgate Bridge. - Also, the water meter for the Village Hall cannot be found, Highways have been out to try and find
it. Northumbrian Water should know where it is. The concerns are that no water bills are being paid. - Cllr Mrs Smart cannot understand why pot holes are repaired when it is raining. Cllr Shuttleworth
mentioned that they have to be repaired when they are reported within 48hours to make them safe. - Cllr Miss Carrick mentioned a row of lights that are off by the Town Hall, Stanhope. These have
already been reported by Cllr Shuttleworth.
11044 Clerks Business Nothing to report
Meeting closed at 7.50pm.
