The Darlington Council Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications and appeals. The committee was also expected to receive updates on appeal decisions and consider complaints.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to review several planning applications, with the respective planning officers preparing reports on each application.

2 Meadowbank Close, Hurworth Place

An application for the erection of a part single storey and part two storey extension to the front elevation at 2 Meadowbank Close was to be discussed. The planning officer’s report noted that the application site is located within flood zones 2 and 3. The officer's report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

West End, The Green, Bishopton

The committee was scheduled to discuss a retrospective planning application for the construction of a bridge over Bishopton Beck with the installation of post and rail fencing with gates at West End, The Green, Bishopton. The application also included a part change of use of an existing field to allow formation of a road linking into the existing stable yard and field access, to provide an alternative domestic access route to the dwelling. The planning officer’s report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

The Parish Council had objected to the road linking into the existing stable yard and the alternative domestic access route to the dwelling, raising concerns about highway safety.

2-5 Flat Hill Close, Sadberge

The committee was scheduled to discuss a retrospective application for a change of use from paddock to be included in the domestic curtilage of 4 dwellings with the erection of a 1.1m high boundary fence at 2-5 Flat Hill Close, Sadberge. The planning officer’s report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Sadberge Parish Council had objected to the application, raising concerns about setting a precedent, the location being outside of development limits and within the conservation area, reducing green space and habitat, and being out of character and an eyesore.

1 Flat Hill Close, Sadberge

The committee was scheduled to discuss a retrospective application for change of use from paddock to domestic curtilage with the erection of a 1.1m high boundary fence at 1 Flat Hill Close, Sadberge. The planning officer’s report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Sadberge Parish Council had objected to the application, raising concerns about setting a precedent, the location being outside of development limits and within the conservation area, reducing green space and habitat, and being out of character and an eyesore.

Notification of Decision on Appeals

The Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection, was scheduled to report on decisions made by planning inspectors on the following appeals:

• An appeal by Ian Robert Hodgson against the council's decision to refuse permission for felling a Cypress tree at 67 Milbank Court, protected under Tree Preservation Order (No.3) 1962. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal. The planning inspector, Simon McGinnety MSc M. Arbor. A, noted:

  I have no doubt that the proposed removal of the cypress tree would have a harmful impact on the visual amenity, even when taking into consideration the presence of other mature trees within the gardens on the western side of Milbank Close. In addition, I do not consider the proposed replacement with a plane tree would mitigate this harm. It would take a considerable time for a replacement to attain a similar stature, and it would then be subject to many of the concerns that have formed the reasoning for the application to remove the cypress.

• An appeal by Rory Brownless against the council's decision to refuse permission for works to a Pine tree at 2 Quaker Lane, protected under Tree Preservation Order (No.17) 2006 - to reduce an easterly limb overhanging the house by up to 3.5 m. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal. Simon McGinnety noted:

  The proposed reduction of 3.5m from the eastern side of the tree crown is likely to have a moderately harmful impact on the appearance of the tree, creating an unbalanced crown to what is already an irregularly formed tree. Furthermore, the extent of the pruning will require making large diameter cuts and this is likely to leave the tree more prone to future conditional harm, such as disease ingress and decay.

• An appeal by Janine Mitchell against the council's decision to refuse permission for works to trees at Greystones Drive, protected under Tree Preservation Order (No.3) 1962 - to prune back branch tips overhanging the garden (27 Staindrop Crescent) by up to 3m on a Beech and a Lime. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal. Simon McGinnety noted:

  In my assessment, such pruning would have an immediate and detrimental effect on the appearance and natural form of the trees, including the parts of the tree that are clearly visible to the public. Furthermore, such an extensive reduction of any mature tree has the potential to introduce harm, by creating large and multiple wounds and removing a significant percentage of live growth.

• An appeal by Mr Mike Bailey against the council's decision to refuse permission for the erection of a three bed dwelling with a detached garage/store, hard standing, landscaping and provision of a new vehicular access with entrance gates and wall at Mole End, Neasham Road, Hurworth-on-Tees. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal. The planning inspector, F Harrison BA(Hons) MA MRTPI, noted:

  I have also found through undertaking an AA that the proposal would adversely affect the integrity of the European site. Taking account of the Regulations, substantial weight is given to the conflict with DLP Policy ENV7. I will now consider whether there are material considerations that would indicate that my decision should be made otherwise than in accordance with the development plan.

• An appeal by Peter Windale against the council's decision to refuse permission for change of use from open space to domestic curtilage, with the erection of a 1.8m high boundary fence to the rear of the property at 68 Meadowfield Road. The planning inspector dismissed the appeal. The planning inspector, G Robbie BA(Hons) BPl MRTPI, noted:

  For the reasons set out, the appeal scheme would fail to respond positively to the aims and objectives of DLP Policies ENV3 and ENV4 and, as such, it fails to satisfy the principles of good design set out by DLP Policy DC1 and is also contrary to that policy.

The report recommended that the committee receive the report.

Notification of Appeals

The Executive Director, Economy and Public Protection, was scheduled to report the following new appeals:

• Mr Michael Dearnley had appealed against the council's decision to refuse permission for the erection of a 1.8m high timber fence to rear boundary (retrospective) and proposed 1.8m timber fence to side boundary at 37 John Fowler Way.
• DANAP Properties Ltd had appealed against the council's decision to refuse permission for the change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3¹) to short stay/holiday let accommodation (Sui Generis²) (Retrospective application) at 3 Parkland Drive.

The report recommended that the committee receive the report.

Exclusion of Public and Press

The committee was scheduled to consider the exclusion of the public and press, to discuss complaints received and being considered under the council's approved code of practice.