Details of new homes in Hurworth to be discussed

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee will discuss details of appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of three new houses on land off Roundhill Road in Hurworth.

Outline planning permission for the homes was granted last year, but concerns are still being raised by neighbours relating to drainage and appearance.

An objection letter seen by the council states: "We consider that the surface water drainage plan does not go far enough to deal with surface water running onto the site from the fields to the north of the site which then runs onto neighbour’s gardens to the south of the site.

"We welcome the change in positioning of the properties further north on the site but still feel the proposed sizes of the houses are not in keeping within the immediate surroundings.

"The whole of our lawned garden will be overlooked. A person in our garden will be visible across the majority of the plot and privacy in our garden will be totally removed."

Residents and Hurworth Against Detrimental Development (HADD) group members meet to protest against contentious planning proposals. Picture: STUART BOULTON

Council documents state: "The proposed details in respect of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale are considered to be acceptable and in accordance with the relevant policies.

"The proposal does not raise any adverse residential amenity issues and the development is acceptable in ecological terms."

Earlier this year, the planning committee granted permission for a second near 100-home development in Hurworth.

During the meeting, Hurworth councillors Lorraine Tostevin and Joe Kelley, who both voted against the development in their ward, received passionate applause from campaigners as they raised issues about legal impacts of the application and safety concerns.

The approval came around 18 months on from planning permission being granted for a 100-home development on neighbouring land to the south of the new site, also off Roundhill Road.

Speaking after the meeting, Lewis Stokes, community relations manager with developer Banks, said: “After receiving a recommendation for approval from Darlington Borough Council’s planning officers for our Hurworth North proposals, we’re pleased that the members of its planning committee have been minded to approve them at their meeting today.

“This is a carefully developed scheme located in an area where we know there is demand for homes from people who want to stay or move here, and has been designed to bring a range of benefits."