81 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3AJ Data via plota.co.uk

DM/26/00195/FPA - Full Planning Application Approved
Change of useShopfrontsCommercial premises

Proposal

Subdivision to create 2no. retail units including fenestration/shop front alterations Data via plota.co.uk

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View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
26 Jan 2026
✓
Validated
13 Feb 2026
✓
Consultation
2 Apr 2026
✓
Approved
7 Apr 2026

Approved on 7 Apr 2026 · Fast Track · Last checked 2 Aug 2026

Documents 8

Decision & officer reports 1

PDF FAST TRACK Delegated Report · 7 Apr 2026 View ↗

Statements & assessments 3

PDF DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT Supporting Information · 13 Feb 2026 View ↗ PDF HERITAGE STATEMENT Supporting Information · 13 Feb 2026 View ↗ PDF SUPPORTING STATEMENT Supporting Information · 13 Feb 2026 View ↗

Other documents 4

PDF PRESS NOTICE Press Notice · 26 Feb 2026 View ↗ PDF SITE NOTICE Site Notice · 24 Feb 2026 View ↗ PDF GYPWALL TWIN FRAME INDEPENDENT Supporting Information · 26 Jan 2026 View ↗ PDF 3M WINDOW VINYL SPECIFICATION SHEET Supporting Information · 26 Jan 2026 View ↗

All documents on the council site ↗

Associated applications 2

Site constraints 6

Coal mining development high risk area
Recorded coal mining features at or near the surface. Most planning applications here need a coal mining risk assessment.
From the Mining Remediation Authority, formerly the Coal Authority. The development high risk area marks recorded coal mining features at or near the surface: mine shafts and adits, shallow workings, mine gas and former opencast sites. Most planning applications there need a coal mining risk assessment; householder applications, changes of use and some minor works are exempt. Mine entry positions come from old plans and can be out by several metres, and unrecorded workings can exist anywhere in the coalfield.
Coal mining risk assessments ↗
Chester-le-Street conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Scheduled monument 63 m away: Concangium Roman fort
Its setting is a consideration for work nearby.
Nationally important archaeology protected by the Secretary of State. Work that affects the monument or its setting is rarely permitted.
Historic England ↗
2 listed buildings within 150 m
Nearest: Queens Head Hotel, Grade II, 42 m away · 2 Grade II
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show all 2 with distances
Historic England ↗
Also on the record
Radon affected area, class 2; Inside the Chester-le-Street built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt

Checked on 6 October 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Mining Remediation Authority, the British Geological Survey and UK Health Security Agency (radon, contains BGS materials © UKRI) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

Building

Floor area400 m² (4,306 sq ft)
Energy ratingD (asset rating 84)
UseA1/A2 Retail and Financial/Professional services
HeatingAir Conditioning

From the energy performance certificate lodged in April 2019, the latest held for this property. The building may have changed since. View the certificate

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Other new applications on this street

31 Jul 2026Pending

40 Front Street Great Lumley Chester-le-Street DH3 4JE

Siting an InPost Parcel Locker (retrospective).

DM/26/01993/FPA
20 Jul 2026Approved

122 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA

Replacement of non-illuminated aluminium flat fascia signage to front and side e...

DM/26/01879/AD
16 Jul 2026Pending

Beau Visage 152 Front Street Great Lumley Chester-le-street DH3 4JB

Change of use from beauty salon to dog grooming studio.

DM/26/01841/FPA
13 Jul 2026Pending

Land West Of Queens Head Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BJ

Land West Of Queens Head Chester le Street Tree Preservation Order

TPO/436/2026

Nearby new applications

25 Sept 2026Pending

Land To The North West Of Sandringham Court Chester-le-Street DH3 3SQ

Erection of two detached four-bedroom dwellings, which include a roof space bedr...

DM/26/02582/FPA
4 Aug 2026Pending

Wensley Roofing Station Road Chester-le-street DH3 3DU

Demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of 11 Light Industrial units wi...

DM/26/02024/OUT
28 Jul 2026Approved

Cemetery House Ropery Lane Chester-le-street Chester-le-Street DH3 3NN

Non material amendment to planning permission DM/24/00208/FPA to relocate pedest...

DM/26/01959/NMA
14 Jul 2026Pending

4 Lindom Avenue Chester-le-Street DH3 3PP

Alteration to existing roof to form gable hip including a loft conversion with a...

DM/26/01814/FPA
25 Aug 2026Pending

Lidl Picktree Terrace Chester-le-Street DH3 3ST

2no internally illuminated canopy signs, 2no internally illuminated flagpole sig...

DM/26/02225/AD
18 Aug 2026Pending

81 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3AJ

Non-material amendment pursuant to planning permission DM/26/00195/FPA to allow ...

DM/26/02167/NMA

Important details

Council
Durham
Application type
Full Planning Application
Postcode
DH3 3AJ
Received
26 Jan 2026
Validated
13 Feb 2026
Ward
Chester-le-Street North
Parish
No Parish
Case officer
Show
Target decision
10 Apr 2026
Decision
Approved BNG Not Required
Decision date
7 Apr 2026
Decision level
Fast Track
Applicant
Show
Agent
HLN Ltd

How this decision compares

Decided in 53 days from validation, 4 days faster than Durham's median of 57 for changes of use. Approved, as 86% of changes of use here are.

50%decided within 8 weeks
86%approved
13%go to committee

Plota live figures for changes of use decided by Durham in the last twelve months, from validation. Durham decision record →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

25 neighbours consulted · Last counted 2 Aug 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-14651673
Planning Portal ref
PP-14651673
Neighbours
18 Feb 2026
Consultation
2 Apr 2026
Comments by
9 Apr 2026
Site or press notice
24 Feb 2026
Statutory expiry
10 Apr 2026
Env. assessment
No

Historical activity at this location

25 nearby applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.

Within ~100m

Nearby activity

2025 Refused
Land West Of 96 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Installation of 1No. BT Street Hub Unit and associated advertisement panels on either sid…
DM/25/02794/FPA
2025 Refused
Land West Of 96 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Two digital 75 inch LCD display screen, one on each side of the Street Hub unit.
DM/25/02795/AD
2025
100 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Part change of use and conversion of ground floor former bank building to 1 residential a…
DM/25/01822/FPA
2025
8 Church Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PZ
R080417001 - Cupressocyparis leylandii - Fell to ground level, Grind stump R080417002 - C…
DM/25/01759/TCA
2024 Refused
100 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Change of use and conversion of ground floor former bank building to 2no residential apar…
DM/24/03216/FPA
2025 Approved
15 Church Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PZ
Fabricated aluminium sign case, overall size 3300mm wide x 750mm high x 75mm deep, powder…
DM/25/00121/AD
2024 Approved
5 A Day Hadrian House 84 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BB
Replacement of shop front
DM/24/01027/FPA
2023 Approved
M And D Buildings Church Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PZ
Change of use from dwelling to office and installation of door to north elevation.
DM/23/02214/FPA
2022 Withdrawn
Land To The West Of 96 Front Street Chester-le-street DH3 3BA
The removal of 1no. existing phone kiosk and the installation of 1no. BT Street Hub unit…
DM/22/02446/FPA
2022 Withdrawn
Land To The West Of 96 Front Street Chester-le-street DH3 3BA
Advertisement consent for 2x LED Illuminated Digital Displays, one on either side of the…
DM/22/02447/AD
2021 Refused
57 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BH
Change of use of upper floors to residential and formation 3no. self contained apartments
DM/21/04157/FPA
2022 Approved
57 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BH
Retrospective application for the retention of an automated teller machine and associated…
DM/22/01236/AD
2022 Approved
57 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BH
Retrospective application for the retention of an automated teller machine and associated…
DM/22/01235/FPA
2021 Approved
Clems Fish Restaurant 61 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BJ
High velocity cowl to roof
DM/21/04204/FPA
2021 Approved
18 Church Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PZ
Installation of new shopfront (Amended 20.01.22)
DM/21/04282/FPA
2021 Approved
18 Church Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PZ
Advertisement consent for 1no. externally illuminated fascia sign and 1no. projecting sig…
DM/21/04283/AD
2021 Approved
91 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BJ
Display of 1 no. externally illuminated fascia sign and 2 no. internally illuminated fasc…
DM/21/00282/AD
2021 Approved
91 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BJ
Replacement and repair of shop windows, doors and awning to the front and rear of the bui…
DM/21/00281/FPA
2020 Approved
Lambton Arms Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BJ
Low walls to external raised area to be extended & rendered. Gate exit to be formed to ex…
DM/20/03172/FPA
2020 Approved
98A Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Change of use of first floor premises from Bar (A4) to offices (B1a)
DM/20/01452/FPA
2017 Approved
57 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BH
Alterations to shop front (replacement ATM and post box, relocate access door, creation o…
DM/17/02100/FPA
2017 Approved
57 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BH
Display of 1 No. digital screen (internal)
DM/17/02101/AD
2016 Approved
Virgin Money 94 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Installation of illuminated ATM
DM/16/02264/AD
2016 Approved
Virgin Money 94 Front Street Chester-le-Street DH3 3BA
Installation of illuminated ATM
DM/16/02263/FPA
2016 Approved
2 High Chare Chester-le-Street DH3 3PX
Change of use from offices (use class A2) to House of Multiple Occupation (use class C4).
DM/16/01095/FPA
Durham
Planning Authority Score
5.2/10
Average
#137 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions

Durham ranks #190 out of 296 councils for householder decision speed. 48% of applications have the time limit extended, above the 41% national average. Householder applications are more likely to be approved here than most councils, with a 97% approval rate vs 90% nationally.

More permissive than most councils
97% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Durham decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
93%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #52 of 296
97%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #29 of 296
59%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #190 of 296
48%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #213 of 296
79%
Minor dwellings approved
95 decided (1-9 homes)
90%
Major dwellings approved
49 decided (10+ homes)
87%
Change of use approved
201 decided
1,706
Total decisions
113 refused in the year to March 2026
Source: MHCLG planning statistics · See full council rankings

Freehold boundary: © Crown copyright and database rights 2026, HM Land Registry. Polygons © Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 100026316. Conditions of use

Energy performance: Energy performance certificates from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright 2026.