The Area Planning Committee (North) of County Durham Council met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to consider a number of planning applications. The meeting's agenda included proposals for the use of properties as children's homes and a retrospective application for a change of use of land to dog kennels.

Applications for Children's Homes

The committee was scheduled to discuss three applications for the change of use of properties at Hole House Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0SY, to children's homes (Use Class C2). Each application proposed accommodating up to two children aged between 7 and 17 years.

• Owl Barn, Hole House Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0SY (DM/26/01168/FPA)
• Bat Barn, Hole House Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0SY (DM/26/01049/FPA)
• Badger Barn, Hole House Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0SY (DM/26/01167/FPA)

The reports indicated that these applications were recommended for refusal. Key concerns raised in the reports included the sustainability of the locations, with the properties being in the open countryside and not in close proximity to essential services or public transport. This reliance on private vehicles was seen as contrary to the County Durham Plan's¹ policies on sustainable transport. Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential impact on community cohesion due to the cumulative effect of multiple children's homes in close proximity, and insufficient garden space for the future occupants. The reports highlighted the council's duty, as outlined in section 22G of the Children Act 1989², to secure sufficient accommodation for looked-after children, and noted the applicant's assertion of a need for such facilities.

Retrospective Application for Dog Kennels

The committee was also scheduled to consider a retrospective application for a change of use of land at 5A Front Street, Burnhope, Durham, DH7 0DL (DM/24/01255/FPA). This application sought full planning permission for a change of use of land from a paddock to dog kennels and pens for personal use, to accommodate up to 33 dogs. It also included a change of use of an existing annexe to a separate dwelling and a change of use of an existing barn to mixed use.

The reports indicated that this application was also recommended for refusal. Objections from neighbouring residents primarily concerned noise from barking dogs, the number of dogs, and the impact on residential amenity. The Nuisance Action Team objected due to concerns about noise nuisance and impacts on residential amenity, noting a history of substantiated noise complaints and a Noise Nuisance Abatement Notice³ previously served on the site. The Spatial Policy Team raised concerns regarding the scale of the canine use, its impact on residential amenity, and the urbanising effect of associated infrastructure within the countryside. The reports highlighted that the proposed use of the agricultural barn conflicted with a previous appeal decision⁴ that restricted its use to agricultural machinery storage only. The scale of the dog-keeping activities was considered to exceed what could be reasonably regarded as incidental to the enjoyment of a dwellinghouse, constituting a material change of use.