The Area Planning Committee (South and West) are scheduled to discuss planning applications relating to Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland, and Winston. The most significant items are the proposed residential development at Newton Aycliffe, and the proposed supported living and extra care housing at Bishop Auckland.

DM/22/02987/FPA - Site Of Former Horndale Working Mens Club, Meadowfield Way, Newton Aycliffe

A full planning permission is sought for the erection of 13 dwellings with associated infrastructure, car parking and landscaping on the site of the former Horndale Working Mens Club. The application site is an irregular, rectangular shaped parcel of land of approximately 0.52ha, located within the built-up area of Newton Aycliffe. The application proposes 2 two-bed bungalows, 6 two-bed dwellings and 5 three-bed dwellings. The scheme will deliver 100% affordable units, to be secured via a Section 106 agreement¹. Vehicular access will be from Meadowfield Way. 26 dedicated car parking spaces as well as visitor parking bays (able to accommodate 3 cars) are proposed. Areas of public open space are to be retained at the sites southwest, southeast and northwest boundaries. The planning officer's report notes that the Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan (GANP) doesn't define a settlement boundary but it is evident that the application site is wholly contained within the built-up area of Newton Aycliffe and would involve redevelopment of a previously developed site, adjacent to existing residential areas accessed from Hareson Road, Meadowfield Way and Greenfield Way. The site is well served by existing public transportation infrastructure and links to local services. The application is considered to be in a sustainable location. The planning officer's report notes that:

The applicant has undertaken extensive engagement with Officers of the Authority including the design review panel and has taken advice on board, reducing the number of dwellings proposed to 13 which is presented on the proposed Layout Plan.

The planning officer's report also notes that financial contributions to nursery and SEND provision, and open space contributions are proposed to be secured via a S106 agreement, and a Grampian condition to the application is proposed to improve the surfacing of the footpath that runs to the north/north-east of the site owned by the Council. The planning officer's report concludes that:

Overall, the proposal is considered to be acceptable and in accordance with Policies 6, 15, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 56 of the County Durham Plan, GANP Policies CH1, E1, E4, E5, H1, H3, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, T3 and CIL1 and Parts 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

DM/25/01782/OUT - 64A Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland

Outline consent is sought for the demolition of the existing launderette and dog grooming parlour and construction of proposed supported living and extra care housing with communal facilities, adjoining warden's house and associated works at 64A Proudfoot Drive. The application site is an existing detached building located on Proudfoot Drive which was previously in use as a laundrette and dog groomers. The planning officer's report notes that the dog groomers relocated to a building within the town centre and the laundrette has closed during the consultation process. A two-storey building is proposed to replace the existing single-storey building however the footprint of the proposed building would be doubled. The proposal would appear as two two-storey blocks with a linked landing proposed between them. The building is proposed to be constructed from red/brown brick with red roof tiles. The planning officer's report notes that Bishop Auckland Town Council objects to the application in its current form for the following reasons:

• Loss of Key Community Services
• Inadequate Justification for Change of Use
• Impact on Residential Amenity
• Highways and Access Concerns
• Design and Integration
• Sustainability and Drainage

The planning officer's report also notes that the Council's Adult and Health Services advise there is no need for this provision, and they do not support its development, would not utilise it and consider that allowing it to proceed would present significant risks to the Council. The planning officer's report concludes that:

The application has failed to provide an identified need for supported living accommodation of the scale and design proposed in this location and also a lack of justification has been provided for the loss of valued community facilities, contrary to Policies 6 and 15 of the County Durham Plan.

DM/25/02178/VOC - 8 Church Mews, Winston, Darlington, DL2 3RL

An application seeks to vary condition 2 (approved plans) pursuant to planning permission DM/24/02991/FPA to extend rear raised platform (partially retrospective) at 8 Church Mews. The application site comprises a split-level dwelling located to the eastern side of Winston in the southwest of the County. The property appears single storey from the north and two storeys from the south due to the sloping land levels of the site and features a two-storey extension to the rear with a first-floor balcony which, following the approval of planning permission earlier this year, has been extended. The extension sits upon an existing timber raised platform that spans the full width of the rear garden but features chamfered edges to both sides. To either side of the raised platform sit two smaller decked areas. External steps located to the eastern side of the platform lead to the lower level of the garden. Timber fencing bounds the garden on both sides, sloping down with the land. The planning officer's report notes that the site is located within an Area of Higher Landscape Value and backs onto an area of Amenity Green Space which includes a group of trees with Tree Preservation Order status. The land slopes significantly down towards the south and the River Tees, with raised patios and balconies a feature of the development. The Grade I listed Church of St Andrew lies over 85m to the northeast. The planning officer's report notes that Winston Parish Council object to the application on the grounds that the enlarged raised platform would reduce neighbours' privacy, with the additional glazed balustrades and fencing resulting in loss of light and harm to the landscape setting and views of the nearby church, and appears inconsistent with the property's original approved plans. The planning officer's report concludes that:

In this instance, it is considered that with the additional fencing the enlarged raised platform would not allow significantly increased views into the rear gardens of neighbouring properties, with the fencing itself not considered to have an adverse impact in terms of loss of light or visual dominance that would warrant the refusal of the application.