PLANS to build a care home, community hub, retail units and up to 81 homes on the outskirts of a village have been put to bed after an appeal lodged with the Planning Inspectorate has been dismissed.

The proposed scheme to develop land between Railway Street and Hargill Road, in Howden-Le-Wear, near Crook, was rejected on the grounds that adverse impacts would “significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

Atelier 26 Architecture’s application was unanimously rejected by Durham County Council’s planning committee last November after members described it as “poor” and “inappropriate.”

The Sedgefield based firm then lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate to develop a 57-bed care home, five retail units, a community hub, twenty affordable bungalows and 61 homes, which it said would deliver energy efficient homes, create jobs, and boost the economy.

However the appeal was dismissed over the effect of the proposal on the village and whether the development would be in a sustainable location.

The report reads: “The proposal would lead to substantial harm to the character and appearance of the countryside and the village of Howden-le-Wear.

“The proposed housing would also be remote from places of employment and would lead to a significant number of car journeys to access employment.

“The material considerations considered do not justify making a decision other than in accordance with the development plan. I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”

The original application attracted 171 letters of objection from villagers alongside a 124-signature petition.

However in a statement to the Planning Inspectorate, the developer said the opinions and thoughts of the objectors were “not considered to be outweighed against the factors in favour of approving the whole scheme.”

It continued: “These sites under appeal here have no conservation area or listed building issues. These sites are not in any area of high landscape value. They are adjoining and adjacent to an existing substantial settlement and will help support facilities and services in Hargill and also further afield.”

To view the report visit publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search reference DM/16/00526/FPA