70 homes at Land At Kitchen Avenue, Bishop Auckland

“The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 70no. dwellings in the form of 7no. two bed bungalows, 10no. two bed dwellings, 38no. three bed dwellings and 15no. four bed dwellings. It is proposed that the scheme will deliver 7no. affordable units, to be secured via a Section 106 agreement.”

“Vehicular access to the site is via Kitchen Avenue and Cheesmond Avenue. 185No. dedicated car parking spaces (including 46no. garage spaces) as well as a small element of visitor parking bays (able to accommodate 18No cars) are proposed. A dedicated SUDs and amenity green space is located to the north of the site’s access.”

“The application site measures approximately 2.56 ha and is located to the south east of St John’s School and Sixth Form College, within the built-up settlement of Bishop Auckland. The site contains an existing road network including Kitchen Avenue and Cheesmond Avenue which previously served housing situated within the site. The properties were demolished following an approval in 2004, under planning reference 3/DE/2004/08.”

“The site is surrounded by residential dwellings to the south and east, Saint Wildred’s Catholic Primary School sits adjacent to the northern boundary of the site with Woodhouse Close allotments beyond. St John’s School and Sixth Form college, and Bishop Aucland College are located to the west of the site, along with residential dwellings at Teesdale Walk.”

“An application for prior approval (Ref: DE/3/2004/0008) was approved in July 2004 for the demolition of existing residential properties on the site.”

“The NPPF is a material consideration in planning decisions. It is acknowledged that this proposal is not an allocated housing site under CDP Policy 4. However, CDP Policy 6 does permit development on unallocated sites on the basis that specific criteria are met.”

“Whilst there remains concerns regarding the layout of the proposed scheme, these relate to physical and financial constraints associated with the site. Such harms are outweighed by the delivery of 70 dwellings, including 7 bungalows suitable for older people, affordable housing provision and exceeding the policy requirement for Building Regulations M4(2) requirements on a site that had previously been considered as being ‘unlikely to be attractive to the development…”

“Coal Authority – No objection subject to the imposition of conditions…”

“External Consultee Responses: 37. NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board – No objection subject to a financial contribution of £39,445 towards increasing GP Surgery capacity. The sum can be secured by a Section 106 Agreement. Public Responses:”

“One representation was received in response to the consultation exercise with the main concern being that the bend in Cheesmond Avenue (Murray Avenue). fronting existing properties, is narrow and cars cannot park and circulate in this area safely.”

“Councillor A Savory noted that she welcomed the addition of 70 properties on a disused site, offering a number of affordable properties and helping the local community through s106 contributions. Accordingly, she moved that the application be approved as per the Officer’s report. Councillor A Schulman seconded the motion for approval and upon a vote being taken it was:”

“That the application be APPROVED, subject to the conditions and s106 Legal Agreement as set out within the report.”