NEW guidance on how the region’s biggest local authority should deal with planning applications while awaiting the outcome of a key legal decision will be discussed next week.

Durham County Council is seeking a judicial review of the decision by an independent planning inspector to reject its masterplan for development in the county.

The County Durham Plan, a 20-year blueprint to guide development in the county, was thrown out in February.

Since then, a number of developers have argued that, in the absence of local guidance, planning applications should be determined under the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, which is weighted towards approving applications unless they would have a significantly negative impact.

On Wednesday, members of Durham County Council’s ruling Cabinet will be asked to endorse a Policy Position Statement to ensure consistent decisions are made on planning applications until the outcome of the judicial review is known.

The statement is designed to set out how much different weight should be given to the ageing local plans and neighbourhood plans which are already in place, the draft County Durham Plan as it stands and the Government’s own rules.

The statement sets out the legal position for considering developments relating to student accommodation, green belt land and affordable housing among others.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Although the council is committed to supporting growth to improve County Durham both economically and socially, we’re acutely aware that residents are concerned about inappropriate development.

“This statement is vital to ensure that planning applications are dealt with in a consistent and sensitive manner while making sure that appropriate development and investment that could benefit the county isn’t delayed.”