The Area Planning Committee (South and West) of Durham County Council met on Thursday 18 June 2026 to consider a number of planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on the erection of new dwellings, tree preservation orders, and retrospective applications for agricultural and holiday accommodation.

Applications to be Determined

The committee was scheduled to consider three planning applications:

Land To The East Of Holdforth Crest, South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6DU

This application concerned the erection of 18 dwellings (use class C3) and one supported living unit (Use Class C2) with associated means of access. The report pack indicated that officers recommended refusal for this application. The reasons for refusal included concerns about poor design, adverse impacts on the character and appearance of the area, and conflicts with the County Durham Plan's Building for Life Supplementary Planning Document. Further reasons for refusal related to the proposed diversion of Footpath 37, which was considered to deteriorate the quality and experience of the route, and inadequate management of surface water, failing to demonstrate that flood risk would not be exacerbated elsewhere. Insufficient information was also cited regarding the delivery of biodiversity net gains and the provision of an appropriate mix of affordable housing.

19 The Paddock, Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland, DL14 0GA

This application related to a heavy height reduction to a lime tree of 4-5m. The lime tree is located at 19 The Paddock and is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). The report pack indicated that officers recommended refusal for this application. The proposed works were considered excessive and unjustified, with a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area and the Witton-le-Wear Conservation Area. The Council's Arboricultural Section advised that the tree is a healthy specimen with a very low risk of falling, and that heavy pruning and topping are contrary to good arboricultural practice.

Cockfield Hall, Cockfield Hall Road, Cockfield, Bishop Auckland, DL13 5AD

This was a retrospective application for the erection of a polytunnel for the temporary accommodation of livestock for a 10-year period, and a material change of use of land from agriculture to the siting of one shepherd's hut for holiday accommodation, with associated parking, hardstanding, and landscaping. The report pack indicated that officers recommended refusal for this application. The primary reasons for refusal centred on the impact on the character and appearance of the Cockfield Conservation Area and the setting of nearby listed buildings, including Cockfield Hall and the Church of St Mary. The polytunnel was considered a visually intrusive and incongruous structure, and the shepherd's hut was deemed poorly sited, representing encroachment into the open countryside. The proposed landscaping was considered insufficient to mitigate the harm.

The meeting also had scheduled items for apologies for absence, substitute members, and declarations of interest, followed by the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 February 2026.