COUNCIL leaders have urged people to have their say on a 1,700-home plan touted as the region’s most environmentally friendly housing scheme.

The draft masterplan includes homes with electric vehicle charging as standard and no gas connections.

Instead it aims to create “zero carbon buildings” using heat pumps, solar panels and renewable technology.

Durham County Council’s cabinet has approved for its Sniperley Park draft masterplan - said to be the culmination of over 10 years’ work - to go to public consultation.

The plan includes about 1,700 homes, a park and ride extension, a new primary school, playing fields and a community centre.

A 25-hectare “linear park” will be a centrepiece of the development with a “Green Cross” cruciform green space, village green, ponds, play parks, enhanced woodlands, wildlife habitats and green belt improvements.

The development is described in the plan as “a sensitive and landscape-led extension to Durham” which will “combine the best of city and country living” while protecting heritage.

It also aims to get people walking and cycling with upgraded routes, or choosing public transport over cars, in a healthy travel plan.

Councillor Mark Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, told the cabinet meeting this week: “For nearly a decade this site has been discussed by this council and the wider public.

“It’s therefore essential that we now move forward and secure the most environmentally sustainable large scale housing development in the North-east.

“A development which protects and improves the ecology of the site, providing significant net gain in biodiversity. A development which harnesses on-site energy production and aims to be as close to carbon neutral development as possible.

“And a development which does not burden Durham city with future congestion of transport problems.

“This masterplan sets the right tone. A significantly stronger tone on sustainability than anything we have previously seen before.”

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for the economy and partnerships, said: “The masterplan will set out how the site will deliver a high-quality sustainable form of development that delivers much more than new housing.

“The Sniperley masterplan makes clear that the council expects Sniperley Park to be an extraordinary development that responds to its special location and character.

“It will be an exemplar of design excellence and strive to be a carbon neutral development through its use of renewable energy, excellent sustainable transport connections, and the high-standard of its housing.

“Sniperley Park will also provide other opportunities to live well and nurture physical and mental wellbeing including extensive and high-quality new parkland.

“The site will also be supported by the infrastructure it needs to be a thriving community including a new local centre, a new primary school, community building and significant highway improvements.

“This masterplan is however a draft document and I’d like to stress that we will be undertaking consultation on it in December and January, encourage everyone to get involved and we will be listening to the responses to that consultation and acting accordingly.”

She said two planning applications had already been submitted and discussions were underway with developers.

Cllr Carl Marshall said Sniperley was a key development: “Its delivery is key to developing suitable housing, infrastructure, community facilities and jobs for County Durham.”

The public consultation will run from November 29 to January 14 with drop-in sessions in Durham city and Framwellgate Moor and virtual events. The council says all comments will be considered and changes made to the plans where appropriate.

 

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