CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a holiday home on the outskirts of Darlington have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Emotions ran high as Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee granted permission for a detached holiday home in Skipbridge, in Hurworth Moor, between Neasham and Darlington.

The application divided opinions on the committee, with Councillor Gerald Lee recommending the application be refused on the grounds that it would not bring anything to the rural community.

His thoughts were echoed by Hurworth ward councillor, Joe Kelley, who questioned why an application which has been thrown out a number of times before should now be granted planning permission.

“This has been thrown out five times before as a property, it seems it is now trying to get through as a holiday home but it still doesn’t address any of the core strategy framework conditions,” he said.

“It has no benefit to the rural community from an economic or social factor – it just seems to be making a problem worse rather than better.”

The bungalow lies to the west of a leisure park which is still under construction but will eventually house around 80 static caravans for holiday use.

In October 2008, planning permission for a detached dormer bungalow on the site was refused, along with a similar application the following year, which also included a detached garage. A subsequent appeal was then dismissed in November 2009.

In February 2013, an application for a holiday chalet bungalow was refused and in March this year an appeal by the applicant was also dismissed.

The most recent application for a brick built bungalow attracted objections from nearby residents and Hurworth Parish Council, who raised concerns with sewage, access to nearby houses, and the lack of a gas supply in the area.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also objected, stating it will have a negative impact on the amenities of nearby residents.

Speaking at the meeting, nearby resident Janet Miller said: “This is a small site with no views, with very little outdoor space and nowhere to park.

“Last time comments were made as to why anyone would want to visit this site on holiday. It will be used as permanent housing.

“There are more reasons in planning terms to refuse this application that passing it.

“We also do not have to build on every single piece of land to improve it.”

Members of the committee also raised concerns that the bungalow could be used as a permanent dwelling, to which committee chairman, Cllr Paul Baldwin, said: “It is what is here now – we can’t think what might happen.

“We are getting in very dangerous waters trying to turn something down because something might happen or is happening somewhere else.”

Planning permission was granted subject to a number of conditions, including one stating that documents confirming where sewage will be dealt with are produced.