A PUBLIC inquiry into a controversial multi million pound housing plan in north Durham is underway.

About a hundred people attended the first session of the six day hearing at Lanchester Community Centre this morning. (Tuesday, April 12)

Story Homes is appealing Durham County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the development of 149 two to five bedroom homes on the outskirts of the village.

The developer wants to build on the land north of Newbiggin Lane and west of Mount Park Drive.

The company’s barrister, Andrew Williamson said: “The appellant suggests that the main issues can be characterised as whether the loss of countryside and harm to the landscape, together with any harm arising from the scale of the development, having regard to the role and function of Lanchester, would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits associated with the proposals.

“There is considerable local objection, which raises a number of other important matters, which could be categorised as main issues, and certainly must be considered, including: highways, flood risk, impact on heritage assets including the conservation area, ecology and infrastructure.”

When the matter was heard at County Hall in Durham in June last year 1,357 residents opposed the scheme and planning officers recommended the application be refused.

Durham County Council’s barrister, John Hobson QC said: “The application was refused because the county council, as local planning authority, considered it contravened a number of policies that protected the area’s landscape character and prevented urban sprawl.

“The appeal site, which is an undeveloped, wholly greenfield site comprises a tract of pastoral farmland to the west of Lanchester.

“It is an important part of the historic landscape, which provides the setting of Lanchester.”

The first member of the public to give evidence was Reverend Stuart Earl, a Methodist minister, who is chairman of Lanchester Churches Together.

He said: “We believe we are very near to critical mass. That is not a technical term.

“It is a feeling of the resources straining to be able to cope with the number of people who are here and those that visit to take advantage of the lovely village atmosphere and the amenities here.

“It seems to me this application is trying to stretch Lanchester into something too big to be sustained as a village from here on in.”

Senior Planning Inspector Kay Sheffield is running the inquiry and will make a judgement once she has considered all of the evidence.