A COUNCIL is facing mounting pressure to allow thousands more homes to be built – sacrificing green belt land in the hope of securing economic prosperity.

Durham County Council’s County Durham Plan already earmarks sites for 31,400 new homes by 2030, in the hope of securing around 30,000 new jobs and increasing the county’s employment rate from 66 to 73 per cent.

But as a six-week examination in public of the Plan entered its second week today (Tuesday, October 7), a string of landowners and housebuilders lined up to demand the council be more ambitious and release even more land for development.

Steve Bell, for Ainscough Strategic Land – which is interested in land near the Arnison Centre, Pity Me, said the 5,000 homes planned for Durham City was the “bare minimum” and the figure was “if anything, understated”, while Daniel Hatcher, for the Church Commissioners, called for the total to be increased and more green belt released “to help facilitate economic growth”.

Craig Morgan, from Teesdale Action Partnership, called for more houses to be built across Teesdale and Karen Read, for Project Genesis, said more houses and shops should be built on the former Consett steelworks, which her client is redeveloping.

But Julia Bowles, chair of Sedgefield Village Residents Forum, accused the developers of simply wanting to increase their profits by building as many houses as possible and the council of being interested only in its New Homes Bonus.

“Most of us locally are about our local communities,” she said.

Chris Lines, chair of Sedgefield Town Council, called for his village’s housing allocation to be cut from 470 to 300, as previously proposed.

“If you over-develop Sedgefield and it’s unchecked then the place becomes less attractive to residents and developers. Please reduce the number back down to 300.”

The council says its housing plans achieve an appropriate and reasonable balance without saturating the market.

Earlier, Hellens Developments and Story Homes said the Plan was over-reliant on Durham City housing and Roger Cornwell, chair of the City of Durham Trust, said Durham City should remain central but with satellite communities roundabout supporting it.

Richard Cowen, from Bowburn and Parkhill Partnership, said his village should have fewer new homes, but more employment land and retail space.

The inquiry continues at Durham County Cricket Club tomorrow (Wednesday, October 8), when planning inspector Harold Stephens will focus on the council’s plans for Durham City.