The Area Planning Committee (North) met to discuss planning applications in the north of County Durham. The meeting was scheduled to cover outline applications for custom build plots and a full planning application for developing holiday units.

Planning Applications

Land West Of West Lea Syke Road Burnopfield

The committee were scheduled to consider an outline application for 10 custom build plots on land west of West Lea Syke Road, Burnopfield. The application, submitted by Akenside Development Company Ltd, had all matters reserved apart from access.

The proposed development site is 0.85 hectares of land adjacent to Syke Road near the entrance to Burnopfield at Lintz. The site is located south of the village, separated by a housing development currently being developed by Robertson Homes. The application site land previously had the appearance of reclaimed industrial land, and is a natural post Glacial natural valley feature, known as the 'Boggle Hole'.

The report pack noted that parameter plans and a design code were included as part of the application setting out criteria for each of the plots, including maximum depth and width, minimum separation distances, and dwelling build zones. Access to the site would be via the adjacent Robertson Homes development.

The report pack stated that a contribution of £50,387 was required towards early years, secondary, and SEND education.

The planning officer's report stated that the scheme was policy compliant despite being unable to provide the full development contribution in relation to affordable housing to comply with Policy 25 and the adopted Development Viability, Affordable Housing and Financial Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (2024). The report recommended that the application be approved subject to the completion of a s106 legal agreement to secure financial contributions totalling £166,075: £98,297 for affordable housing, £50,387 for education purposes, and £17,391 towards open space.

Haystax Holiday Park, Longedge Lane, Consett

The committee were scheduled to consider a full planning application for developing 33 pitches and an access road for holiday units at Haystax Holiday Park, Longedge Lane, Consett. The application was submitted by Mr Andrew Warnes, Sunset Leisure Development Ltd.

The application site is known as Haystax Holiday Park which lies south of Longedge Lane in the countryside. The site currently encompasses 19 holiday units and a play area to the west of a spine road, a reception office and parking to the east of the entrance, and a café which is undergoing refurbishment. Planning permission is in place for the development of a further 17 pitches to the east of the spine road.

The application seeks planning permission for the development of a further 33 lodge pitches and an access road to the units to the south and east of the current 17 pitches being developed to the east of the site access road. The site includes an area to the south of the proposed pitches that would be other neutral grassland and modified grassland for the purposes of Biodiversity Net Gain.

Lanchester Parish Council objected to the application on the grounds that the original development has changed from farm diversification with a specialist SEND offer to a business providing self-catering accommodation to guests and therefore the whole development needs a further full planning permission and this should not be considered as an extension.

The Highways Authority advised that the proposed development was considered acceptable.

The planning officer's report stated that the proposals were considered to broadly accord with policies 8, 10, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 44 and 56 of the County Durham Plan and policies LNP1, LNP2, LNP3, LNP4C and LNP4D of the Lanchester Neighbourhood Plan and parts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the NPPF. The report recommended that the application be approved subject to an on-site Biodiversity Management and Monitoring Plan as well as long term management, maintenance and monitoring and associated fees, and a number of planning conditions.

Other items

The committee were also scheduled to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2025.