The Area Planning Committee (Central and East) of Durham County Council met on Tuesday 9 June 2026 to consider three planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on the erection of new dwellings in Easington Colliery, Crossgate Moor, and Brandon.

Easington Colliery Primary School Site Development

The committee was scheduled to discuss plans for the erection of 25 dwellings, along with associated infrastructure and landscaping, at the former Easington Colliery Primary School site on Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, SR8 3PW. The report pack indicated that the site, previously occupied by a school, had been cleared following demolition consent granted in 2020. The proposals included a mix of two-storey dwellings, bungalows, and blocks of flats, all intended for social rent as part of the Council Homes Programme.

Concerns raised by objectors included a lack of car parking for residents, increased traffic, and issues with proposed accesses and drainage. The report pack noted that while the development plan had some policy conflicts, the benefits of the scheme were considered to outweigh the harms. The applicant, DCC Housing Delivery Team, had agreed to financial contributions for various local infrastructure improvements, including education, healthcare, public open spaces, and active travel, to be secured through internal transfers.

Fernhill, Crossgate Moor Development

A further item on the agenda was an outline planning application for access, with all other matters reserved, for the construction of two dwellings with attached garages at Fernhill, Newcastle Road, Crossgate Moor, Durham, DH1 4JZ. The proposals also included the demolition of a stable block and conservatory extension on Fernhill, and the erection of a garage. The site is located within the Green Belt, and the report pack indicated that the development was considered not inappropriate under the exceptions outlined in paragraph 154 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The application was called in by the City of Durham Parish Council due to concerns about inappropriate development in the Green Belt and harm to its openness. Objectors also raised concerns about highway safety, the use of Club Lane for access, and the impact on the Area of Higher Landscape Value (AHLV). The applicant, Mr Paul Bracewell, had worked with officers to amend the scheme, reducing the scale of proposed dwellings and ensuring compliance with Green Belt policy. A Section 106 planning obligation was proposed to secure a contribution towards improving public open spaces within the electoral division.

Land North East of Brandon United Football Club Development

The committee was also scheduled to consider the erection of 36 dwellings with associated infrastructure and landscaping on land north-east of Brandon United Football Club, Commercial Street, Brandon. The site, which previously housed terraced housing demolished in the late 1970s, is now vacant scrubland. The proposals included a mix of Tyneside flats, bungalows, and houses, all intended as social rent affordable housing and forming part of the Council House Delivery Programme.

Objections received primarily related to highway safety, the suitability of the proposed access from St Agatha's Close, and residential amenity during construction. The report pack indicated that the development was considered sustainable and in accordance with the County Durham Plan (CDP) when read as a whole. The applicant, DCC Housing Delivery Team, had agreed to financial contributions for local infrastructure, including GP surgery capacity, early years and secondary school places, SEND provision, public open spaces, and rights of way improvements. These contributions were to be secured through internal transfers.