22 affordable homes at Land At 40-82 Farnham Road, Newton Hall, Durham

What was proposed

The application sought 22 affordable homes with parking, open space and sustainable drainage, including bungalows and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

“1 Full planning permission is sought for the construction of 22No. dwellings with associated parking, open space and SuDS. The site is not allocated for housing in the County Durham Plan (CDP), though it is within the built up area of a settlement and in a highly sustainable location. At the time the application was submitted, and subsequently validated, 22No. dwellings occupied the site but have since been demolished.”

“3 The amended proposals and supporting information have been fully assessed by relevant consultees. No objections are raised subject to conditions and planning obligations where necessary. As there is no uplift in residential numbers associated with the redevelopment, there is no requirement to mitigate against increased demand for education facilities or local GP surgeries.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.96-hectare site lies within Newton Hall and previously contained 22 homes, garage blocks, parking and central open space.

“9 The site measures 1.96ha and lies to the north of the City Centre within Newton Hall. The site is bound to the west, south and east by Farnham Road. To the north the site is bound by a car park, open space and existing residential properties. Previously the site accommodated 22no. dwellings (numbers 40-82 Farham Road) and 5 garage blocks with areas of parking and a central open space. The buildings on the site have now been demolished.”

“10 A narrow landscape belt is located to the east of the site. Within this, five trees (T6, T7, T8, T9 and T10) are subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO/409/2025). This TPO was confirmed on the 12.11.2025”

Officer report

Who spoke

The senior planning officer presented the application, and the applicant’s agent spoke in support of approval.

What members discussed

Members discussed energy measures, cycle storage, a possible local lettings policy and wider parking improvements, while praising the applicant’s amendments and engagement.

“Councillor M Wilkes noted a previous similar application, approved by Committee, had included a Local Lettings Policy (LLP). He asked whether such could be in in place for this application, noting Members had previously been told that it could not be conditioned. He also noted the changes in respect of parking, being a vast improvement and explained that parking had been a significant concern.”

“Councillor M Wilkes noted that he felt it was worth saying and noting for the record that while Members often attended planning meetings and were frustrated when developers did not want to work with local communities, it was not the case in terms of this application. He noted that the applicant was to be commended for their work as regards their application, making changes, including as regards parking and LLP.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A member moved approval, another member seconded it, and the committee approved the application subject to the stated amendment.

“That the application be APPROVED, subject to the conditions and s106 Legal Agreement as set out within the report, with amendment to Condition 2 to refer to the correct revision of the appropriate drawing.”

Minutes