There have been a number of major planning applications approved last month, along with a number of more minor applications.

We’ve pulled together a list of planning applications approved in Darlington and County Durham throughout October that you should know about.

Some of these have been covered by The Northern Echo, whereas some of them haven’t.

Take a look below to see if there are any that you didn’t know about.

Major planning applications approved:

  • Plans to build 27 homes on land off John Williams Boulevard and Vicarage

The Northern Echo covered the approval of these plans on Thursday, November 3.

The terraced, semi-detached and detached houses will be built with car and cycle parking and an access road to John Williams Boulevard and Vicarage Road.

A local centre was previously proposed for the site as part of the Central Park masterplan.

But a Darlington Borough Council report says: "No operators have been forthcoming in respect of this element and the site is therefore being proposed for housing.

"It (is) in a sustainable location close to transport links and pedestrian routes to local shops and services."

Read more: New housing estate to be built in Darlington despite anger over 'smelly drains'

  • Seaham Starbucks drive-through and petrol station approved

The coffee shop and filling station will be built near Admiralty Way, the Fox Cover Industrial Estate, the Spectrum Business Park and a "garden village" development in Seaham.

The plan, from C G Robinson and Sons and C J Leonard and Sons, swiftly got the go-ahead from Durham County Council's planning committee.

Proposals for a caravan park had been dropped from the scheme, the meeting heard on Tuesday (October 4).

Principal planning officer Graham Blakey said: "The application originally included a significantly larger portion of land which also proposed a caravan site.

"However this, following amendments on the proposals and views from the officers, has been taken out of the application."

Read more: Starbucks set to open drive-thru near County Durham industrial estate

Minor planning applications approved:

  • Change of use from agriculture land to touring caravan and camping site for 16 pitches…

This application is retrospective so the farm has already been operating as a touring caravan and camping site with associated works to Westholme Farm on Walworth Road in Heighington Darlington.

The approved application would just see this operation continue and would not consist of any additional works.

The proposal for the site can be summarised as a “Retrospective change of use from an agricultural use field into an area used for leisure in the form of caravan and camping pitches.

“Retrospective permission for the alteration of the entranceway into Westholme Farm off Walworth Road.

“Retrospective permission for the installation of various boundary treatments and landscaping details to separate the caravan & camping site from the rest of the farm.

“Retrospective approval for the erection of a toilet and shower block with washing facilities”

  • Change of use from Bookmakers to hot food takeaway

This application will see a former bookmakers being converted into a hot food take away which will serve pizza and sides such as chicken wings.

The development will take place at 48 Medomsley Road in Consett.

  • Change of use of land to side from open space to residential

This application will see a change of use of open space adjacent to the property for parking.

It will take place on 9 The Lane Sedgefield in Stockton on Tees.

  • Change of use from barn to holiday let accommodation

This development will see a private barn converted into a holiday let, the barn would not be drastically changed and would be kept in keeping with the rest of the buildings.

A heritage statement for the development found it would have a “negligible” or “no impact” on nearby listed buildings.

The development is taking place at Island House, East Blackdene, St Johns Chapel, Bishop Auckland.

  • Change of use of agriculture land to form two number dog exercise paddocks

The paddocks will operate from 8am to 8pm from March to September and 8.30am to 3.30pm from October to February.

Developments on the site would be quite minimal with parking available for four vehicles and an advertisement sign above the entrance.

The development will happen at Lynholme Cornforth Lane, Cornforth, Durham

  • Change of use from residential dwelling to single holiday let

The holiday let will be available for up to two or three people staying at one time and will be used for short stays.

According to the report, the property has been in use for some months now and there is an issue with parking.

The proposal was approved and will take place at Kentmere Cottage, 1 East End, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland.

  • Erection of three dwellings and associated works

Works on this site will see three detached houses with associated parking and amenity areas being built.

The houses will reflect the “existing pattern and form of development.”

The application adds: “The orientation of the buildings also ensures the character of the spaces around the buildings does not become overly domesticated and retains its existing character.”

The development will happen on Land At the West of Townhead Farm, Iveston Lane, Iveston.

  • Change of use of former community centre to dwelling

There would be limited changes to the external appearance of the property and the property is found within a heavily residential area.

The discussed property is found at 19 to 20 Sycamore Park, Brandon, County Durham.

  • Erection of four dwellings

According to the application “The proposal will reflect the domestic scale of properties that enclose the site which are mostly two and three-storey terraced properties in their height.”

The development will take place on land to the rear of 63 Crossgate, Durham.

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