Residents in a County Durham village have raised concerns about the scale of a proposed housing development.
A parish council has unanimously voted to object to plans for a housing development in a County Durham village.
Bellway has submitted plans to Durham County Council for the development of 81 homes in Hawthorn, which would also include open space and a convenience store. The 15-acre site off Stockton Road sits between residential areas that have been added to the village over recent decades.
But the application has received a number of objections on the local authority’s planning portal, with the scale of development and how it will alter the character of the village a major concern.
Hawthorn Parish Council members have expressed concerns, highlighting that the proposal is not in line with the Durham Local Plan and is located on unallocated development land. Council members have voiced strong opposition to the scale of the proposed development, which they argue is disproportionate to the size and character of the existing village.
Following two special meetings to review the plans, members of the Parish Council have expressed significant concerns, highlighting that the proposal to build 81 new homes is not in line with the Durham Local Plan and is located on unallocated development land. Council members have voiced strong opposition to the scale of the proposed development, which they argue is disproportionate to the size and character of the existing village.
Councillor Diane Hughes, Chair of the Hawthorn Parish Council, said: “The proposed development is wholly out of scale with our community and is contrary to a number of local planning policies.
“This land is not designated for housing in the Durham Local Plan and developing it would have a detrimental impact on our environment, infrastructure, and the quality of life for local residents.”
The Parish Council’s objections also centre on the potential strain the development could place on existing flooding issues in the village and the on-going speed /traffic on the nearby B1432 road.
They are urging Durham County Council to carefully consider the concerns raised by residents and the council in the planning process.
Coun Hughes said: “We are committed to preserving the character of Hawthorn and ensuring that any new development is in line with the wishes of the local community.
“This application represents a significant overdevelopment of an area that should be protected from large-scale housing projects.”
In one letter of objection, a resident said: “The proposed development of 81 houses represents roughly a 30% increase in housing, which is disproportionate to the existing village size and would irrevocably alter its character. Furthermore, the new development’s land size is almost comparable to the current village footprint, marking a substantial change.
“With Hawthorn’s parish now including the Garden Village development of 1,500 new homes – where Bellway has recently applied for an additional 150 houses – and the new racetrack development near Easington, it appears that Hawthorn’s housing quota has been fulfilled. If not, it would be interesting for DCC to identify other regions in the area where similar large-scale developments have been approved.”
Another said: “We do not have any requirement at all for extra housing in Hawthorn Village, it is a beautiful unique small village, currently there is a vast building site in place for an extra 1,500 houses at Seaham Garden Village which was initially sold for Film Studios, New housing estate is also in the process at Seaham Grange.”
One concerned village also voiced concerns about the impact the scheme would have on the character of the village, writing: “Firstly, the number of homes is far too high. It would engulf and absorb what is already a small quaint village and the reason many residents bought their homes. It would take the area from a village to a huge, oversized estate with too many homes for the infrastructure in place.”
A spokesperson for Bellway said: “Bellway and its consultant team have engaged with the local community, Hawthorn Parish Council and Durham County Council in developing our proposals for the site to ensure we provide a high-quality and sustainable development that will deliver significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to the village and surrounding area.
“These benefits include the provision of 12 affordable homes including eight bungalows, the creation of public open space, financial contributions towards local services, the creation of 115 jobs during the construction process, and increased spending in the local economy.
“We are actively working with Durham County Council and statutory consultees to review and respond to all comments received as part of the determination process. We are hopeful that a positive resolution which secures the delivery of much-needed new housing and wider benefits for the local area will be reached in due course.”
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/county-durham-residents-fear-housing-30848594
