RESIDENTS say a homebuilder’s use of house as an office is making parking a nightmare on their street.

According to nearby residents, Keepmoat Regenaration staff have been working out of a property in Scafell Gardens in Crook for almost two years, and parking their cars in front of people’s homes.

The number of parked cars, which also include visitors to the office, often reaches double figures, making it difficult for residents to park and obstructing the bus which stops opposite the property.

Residents are aware it is a public road and the cars are legally entitled to park there, but they are angry that no application has ever been submitted to Durham County Council to change the use of the building from residential to office space.

Paula and Ian Hawley, who lives around the corner in Esk Gardens, counted ten cars connected to the Keepmoat property parked up last Friday.

Mr Hawley, who regularly struggles to park his work van, said: “There is no planning permission for a change of use of the premises from residential to office use. If the council considers such a use they would have to consider the amount of car parking that the new use would generate as opposed to the use of a residential property.

“They should show that there is adequate provisions for car parking. There are as many as nine or ten vehicles on a morning, at the property, parked around the streets. There is also a bus stop opposite which means that parking directly outside is minimal.”

Mrs Hawley added: “There is a sign on the house describing it as a work site and warning children not to play there. How can that not be a change of use?”

Eileen Simpson, of Scafell Road, said: “If you go out in the car during the day, you get back and someone has taken your space. They are often parked up onto the curb too, blocking the pavements.”

Durham County Council is now looking into whether a retrospective planning application is necessary.

Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets, said: “We are currently looking into the issues raised and will be speaking to Keepmoat to try and ensure a satisfactory outcome.”

Keepmoat Regeneration was unavailable for comment.