PLANS have been submitted to Durham County Council to change the of use of land from agricultural and domestic to a caravan site, with erection of polytunnel.

The plans also include a change of use of an existing storage building to agricultural shed and shower block for caravan site, at Newton Lodge, Mickleton, Barnard Castle.

A planning statement has been prepared on behalf of a Miss J Stoddart to Durham County Council planning authority for full planning permission. The application is in part retrospective.

The statement reads: "The site is located in the Mickleton Conservation Area and within an Area of Higher Landscape Value.

"The caravan pitches are in situ, and are distinguishable only by their electric charging points. No additional hardstanding is proposed. The polytunnel is lightweight and orientated west to east along the site’s southern boundary.

"The existing storage shed is located to the rear of Newton Lodge itself, and constructed partially of stone and timber, with a corrugated roof. A section of this will remain in agricultural use, housing livestock and for general storage. However, part will be converted to a shower block.

"The appearance of caravans is not traditional, and as such there will be contrast between the proposed development and the surrounding built form and appearance.

"However, whilst visible from the B6277 and West Pasture Road, this is really only in the immediate vicinity of the site, from positions primarily adjacent to the site boundaries, due to the screening effect of existing houses, buildings and trees and hedges.

"As such, the proposal will not have an adverse impact on the wider landscape, or the conservation area as a whole.

"The proposed development would not erode the linear character of the village, and would be in alignment with it. The proposal enables the viable and productive use of this small parcel of land whilst retaining an informal character, reducing pressure for development, enabling it to be preserved as an undeveloped garth.

"The proposal is small in scale, and utilises an existing building on site. No views of, or from, open countryside would be lost as a result of the development proposed."

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