Major new housing estate for Shotton (From The Northern Echo)

Major new housing estate for Shotton

3:56pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Peterlee News By Mark Tallentire

A DEVELOPER has been given the go-ahead to build 175 houses in a former pit village.

The population of Shotton Colliery, in east Durham, is set to increase by 14 per cent after Persimmon Homes was granted planning permission for a major new housing estate.

Its 13-acre plot, which includes the former Fleming Hotel and Brunton’s garage site and a large field, stands north of Station Road and east of Salters Lane.

Some villagers are unhappy at the plans, saying the estate would ruin the area’s quiet nature and cause traffic chaos.

The development would have just one road access, onto a new roundabout to be built where the B1280 meets Station Road.

However, Durham County Council’s central and east Durham planning committee has unanimously backed the proposals.

At a County Hall meeting on Tuesday, Councillor Alan Bell said: "For the area as a whole, it’s an absolutely fantastic scheme. The site’s stood there as an eyesore for many years.

"The only downside is the loss of a greenfield site. But there are some brilliant community benefits."

Persimmon has pledged to give cash to: extend a community centre, improve nearby shop frontages, carry out environmental work and build extra classrooms at local schools.

Afterwards, Shirley Stoker, who lives nearby, said: "It’s a disgraceful decision."

Trevor Rogers, of Salters Lane, pledged to make a complaint to the ombudsman.

The houses would have two, three or four bedrooms over two or three storeys. Twenty per cent would be affordable homes. The scheme had originally included 204 houses.

An agent for Persimmon Homes said he was confident it was a ‘strong location’ for the housing market.