The Area Planning Committee (South and West) of County Durham Council met on Thursday 19 February 2026 to consider a range of planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on a proposed change of use for a property to become a children's care home, alongside proposals for the erection of new housing developments in Leeholme, Shildon, and Staindrop.

Change of Use to Children's Care Home at 2 The Paddock, Toronto, Bishop Auckland

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at 2 The Paddock, Toronto, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7SH. The proposal involved changing the property from a C3 dwellinghouse to a C2 care home, intended for the solo or dual provision for up to two children aged between 6 and 17 years. The report pack indicated that 16 objections had been received, along with a petition of approximately 200 signatures, raising concerns about the principle of the development, highway safety, the character of the area, and residential amenity, including safeguarding issues. Despite these objections, the report recommended approval subject to conditions.

Erection of 70 Dwellings at Land East of Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme

A significant housing development was scheduled for discussion at Land East of Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme, DL14 8JJ. The application sought full planning permission for the erection of 70 dwellings, along with associated infrastructure and landscaping. The report noted that 199 objections had been received, primarily concerning infrastructure capacity, accessibility to services, highway safety, flooding, contamination risks, tree loss, and impact on wildlife. While no objections were raised by statutory consultees subject to conditions, the Council's Tree Officer identified harm due to tree loss, assessed as moderate. The report recommended approval, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for various contributions totalling £602,640 towards nursery and school capacity, SEND places, GP surgery capacity, public open spaces, and accessibility improvements.

Erection of 50 Affordable Dwellings at Land to the North of Redworth Business Park, Shildon

The committee was also set to consider a proposal for the erection of 50 affordable dwellings at Land to the North of Redworth Business Park, Redworth Road, Shildon. This development, intended to be entirely affordable housing, comprised 35 social rent and 15 Rent to Buy units. A total of 15 objections were received, raising concerns about highway safety, landscape impacts, infrastructure capacity, residential amenity, and land stability/contamination. The report indicated that the scheme had received three red scores at the Council's Design Review panel, but subsequent amendments were considered to have addressed these issues. The recommendation was for approval, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for contributions towards public open spaces, early years and SEND school capacity, GP surgery capacity, and the maintenance of a retaining wall.

Erection of 5 Dwellings at Land to the West of 14 St Gregory Close, Staindrop

Finally, the committee was scheduled to discuss an application for the erection of 5 detached dwellings, along with the formation of a SUDS pond and access, at Land To The West Of 14 St Gregory Close, Staindrop, DL2 3LG. The report indicated that 10 objections had been received, including from the Parish Council and the CPRE, primarily concerning the principle of development, landscape impact, residential amenity, flooding, and infrastructure capacity. The site was noted to be outside the built-up area of Staindrop but considered visually and physically well-related to it. The Landscape Officer had raised concerns about the impact on the Area of Higher Landscape Value, assessed as limited harm. The recommendation was for approval, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for contributions towards on-site Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring and open space improvements.