Residents celebrate as council reject Coundon homes plan

An application for the new housing estate on land near Westerton Road, Coundon, was unanimously voted down by Durham County Council amid concerns it would “destroy” the countryside. 

Locals warned the new homes would have a “severe impact” on the local landscape and village life, including the historic Township field. 

Campaigners fought for more than two years against the plans without legal advice or planning expertise, instead relying on local knowledge and analysis.

Hundreds of Coundon residents objected to the plans for new homes.  (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Maurice Dixon, a Coundon resident, said: “The unanimous committee decision to reject the application, overturning the recommendation to approve, recognised the severe impact this development would have on the landscape, village life, village context, the rural nature, and further strain on the dwindling services and facilities.”

Locals also noted the site’s historical importance, said to have been in use agriculturally since the 1100s, which may have links to Roman times.

Mr Dixon added: “With perseverance and commitment, a small village working together as a team, can succeed in stopping the destruction of what to our village is not just 10 hectares of food-producing land, it’s a historical asset.”

Objectors argued the application conflicted with several local and national planning policies, and would have added significant strain on limited local services.

“Residents have repeatedly raised fundamental concerns over the past two and a half years, with the application and its revisions, with little supporting evidence made publicly transparent on the planning portal to justify claims of issues having been resolved,” said Mr Dixon. 

He added: “This has been an unnecessarily long and stressful process for residents, with a lack of openness and transparency throughout, which doesn't provide a democratic balance of engagement.”

Concerns with the application also centred around drainage and flooding, including the contested use of a nearby culvert. 

Partner Construction’s proposal included a mix of apartments, bungalows and multi-bedroom houses, with 15 per cent of properties marketed as affordable. The applicant said it had included several mitigating measures in the proposal after listening to local concerns. 

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The company said it has worked “extensively” with the council “deliver a development with a wide range of benefits, both for the local community and the wider Durham County.” 

“Through the scheme evolution, we responded positively to all policy requirements, often delivering in excess of the policy requirement,” a statement added. 

But after visiting the Township Field site before the meeting, chairwoman and Reform UK Cllr Jillian Campbell said: “I was struck by the site and its unique quality. I can’t see how that can be mitigated; I consider it severe landscape harm.”