WALKERS caught short in the woods were denied the chance of a new toilet today (Tuesday, April 14), despite the enthusiastic efforts of one councillor.

Durham South county councillor David Stoker’s argument that a plan for a new holiday cottage and cafe at Low Burnhall, near Durham, should be supported because it offered the prospect of a public convenience for the popular Woodland Trust visitor attraction failed to hold water with his colleagues on Durham County Council.

The central and east planning committee voted to refuse Paula Sanderson planning permission for the venture by 11 votes to zero.

The four-bedroom cottage and 50-seat cafe would have been built at a picturesque spot next to the River Wear, just south of Durham City.

Cllr Stoker said the toilets offered by the cafe were “absolutely vital” for the surrounding publicly accessible woods, as the nearest public toilets are three miles away in Durham Market Place.

However, other councillors questioned whether the cafe toilets would be open to the general public and pointed out the site lies within the Durham City Green Belt, Burnhall Conservation Area and an Area of High Landscape Value.

Several also raised concerns about cars exiting the site onto the busy A167 southbound.

Mrs Sanderson said the project would support jobs and be “great for tourism and great for Durham” without damaging the countryside.

However, the committee meeting at County Hall felt otherwise and followed the recommendation of their planning officers in refusing consent.

The Woodland Trust has planted Low Burnhall, a former farm, with trees, in the hope of creating a new wood around the Wear.