25 affordable homes at Former Easington Colliery Primary School, Easington Colliery

What was proposed

The application proposed 25 social-rent homes, including houses, bungalows and flats, with parking, landscaping, open space and new pedestrian links.

“12 Consent is sought for the erection of 25 dwellings which would consist of a mix of two-storey dwellings, bungalows and blocks of flats. A mix of ten x 2- bed dwellings, three x 3 bed dwellings, four x 2 bed-bungalows, and 8 Tyneside flats which are all 2 bed properties are proposed. The flats are located in two blocks of four containing two ground floor two first floor all serviced by their own entrance. The properties are all proposed as social rent.”

“13 13 dwellings are proposed running in a linear formation and facing School Street. Two blocks of Tyneside flats over two floors are proposed to the south of the site facing Seaside Lane South with the two sets of semi-detached bungalows running north behind the flats. Two courtyard parking areas are proposed with an area of open space between, with access off Seaside Lane South.”

Officer report

The site today

The cleared former school site is enclosed by temporary fencing, surrounded by terraced properties and shops, and falls about five metres across its area.

“9 The application site is a cleared site which previously housed Easington Primary School which were former Grade II Listed Buildings. Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent was approved in 2020 for the demolition of the buildings.”

“11 The site is currently enclosed by temporary fencing following demolition of the listed buildings. A pocket park was agreed following the demolition however this was not forthcoming and the site was fenced off with no public access available. There are no protected trees on the site and there are land level…”

Officer report

Earlier plans and demolition

Earlier proposals included housing and apartments, while permission was later granted for demolition of the listed school buildings and a replacement pocket park.

“19 DM/20/01618/FPA Demolition of Grade II Listed former school buildings (boys block, girls block, manual instruction building, bike sheds and central dividing wall), repair/refurbishment of perimeter walls, railings and gates, gate piers. Construction of replacement pocket park Approved 16th October 2020.”

“20 DM/20/01622/LB Demolition of Grade II Listed former school buildings (boys block, girls block, manual instruction building, bike sheds and central dividing wall), Repair/refurbishment of perimeter walls, railings and gates, gate piers; construction of replacement pocket park Approved 16th October 2020”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was sustainable and previously developed, while affordable housing benefits significantly outweighed limited harms and policy conflicts.

“205 Given the small scale of the site and the applicant’s intention to maximise affordable housing delivery as part of the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme, it is considered that the identified harms are deemed limited, and accordingly the conflicts with Policies 29 and 31 of the County Durham Plan, are considered acceptable and justified in this case.”

“207 Whilst concerns with the proposed mix of affordable dwellings are maintained, the provision of 25 affordable dwellings in a sustainable location within the built up area of a settlement still carries significant public benefits, regardless of the mix of the dwellings subject to a condition securing the 100% affordable provision.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the local member, two residents opposing the application and the applicant’s agent supporting it.

What members debated

Members discussed the promised park, highway safety, speed surveys, local lettings, parking and whether local residents should benefit from the homes.

“Councillor M Wilkes noted, as a former Cabinet Member, he understood that the issues as regards the proposed park. He added that Seaside Lane was a fast, steep road with no traffic calming and therefore there was a need for speed survey. He agreed with comments from the Local Member, Councillor L Penders in terms of a local lettings policy to be applied to the development, to ensure local residents benefited from the scheme.”

“Councillor M Wilkes noted the issue raised as regards the proposed park for the site. He explained, as a former Cabinet member, that the park was offered only for a few years, before it too would be demolished for housing. He noted that £500,000 had been set aside two administrations ago, however, it had been withdrawn as it would have been a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to approve was proposed and seconded, including amended conditions and an additional traffic-survey condition, before the committee voted.

“That the application be APPROVED, subject to the conditions as set out within the report, subject to amended Conditions 3 and 4, an additional condition in relation to traffic surveys and payment of the contributions through an internal transfer as set out within the report.”

Minutes