Bellway Homes appeals council decision to refuse Great Lumley homes

Bellway Homes had applied to build 148 homes in Great Lumley as part of a new development which it said would provide “high quality” housing. 

But its proposal was rejected by Durham County Council’s planning committee in June 2023 after significant opposition from residents. 

Locals responded in their hundreds to object to the plans due to fears that the outlined site, to the North of George Pit Lane, is not suitable for development. A total of 253 objection letters were sent to the council, with local MP Kevan Jones backing the campaign, compared to just two letters of support.

The housing developer appealed the decision and a five-day hearing between Bellway and the local authority began today (Wednesday, April 3).

Durham County Council said the application was refused by its planning committee because the housing estate would significantly erode the open countryside setting of the settlement that currently exists; cause unacceptable harm to the landscape and the intrinsic character of the countryside; and would have insufficient access by sustainable modes of transport to services and facilities. 

A CGI of how the proposed development could look was submitted as part of the planning process (Image: Bellway)

An opening statement prepared by legal representatives of the authority said that the council’s reasons for refusal are “considered to be robust and can be supported by local and national policy”. 

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The opening statement added: “The proposals conflict with the plan and should be refused and the material considerations add further weight against the grant of permission for the proposal.”

But Bellway refutes the council’s claims and said the proposals “adequately mitigate for any potential landscape harm” and there would be good access by sustainable modes of transport to services and facilities in Great Lumley.

A statement added: “There is no conflict with relevant up-to-date Development Plan policies and the appeal proposals are in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.”