70 homes plan refused for Leeholme in County Durham

Councillors rejected plans by Gleeson Homes to build the properties in Leeholme, County Durham, amid significant local opposition. 

The refusal came despite a Durham County Council recommendation to approve and warnings that a planning appeal process could prove costly. 

Gleeson Homes applied to build a mix of bungalow and two, three and four-bedroom homes on land near Buckingham Terrace - a site that provides a “sustainable development opportunity” with proximity to local services.

But residents warned the village’s infrastructure would not be able to cope with the extra demand.

Shaun McManners, who lives in Leeholme, said the village is “constantly being bombarded by private housing developers”. 

He told a planning committee: “Local businesses and facilities have gone from this village since the turn of the century; the cumulative impact of previous developments and little reinvestment. 

“A part-time doctor's surgery and dentist, both of which are difficult to get appointments with, show inadequate infrastructure to support increased footfall and traffic.”

Traffic in the area is already beyond capacity, councillors were told, with roads effectively becoming single-lane routes due to the volume of parked cars. 

Local county councillor Kate Rowland suggested the 92 letters of objection showed the development is not wanted.

“This development is out of scale for Leeholme - it will overwhelm the village’s traditional mining character with no housing needed here,” the Reform UK member told the committee. 

Gleeson Homes pledged to invest around £285,000 into local services and the community. 

And despite the concerns, Councillor Anita Savory, Independent member for Weardale, said the benefits of the scheme outweighed the harms. 

She told the committee: “While I do have sympathy with the residents, I can’t see a valid planning reason to refuse this application. If we do so, and the applicant appeals and they win, it could cost this council a tremendous amount of money. 

That claim was supported by Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Stead, who said the council’s planning department must follow the regulations set in the County Durham Plan. 

Cllr Stead added: “I am happy to support this application. It is with a heavy heart, but for me, there are no material planning considerations to refuse this.

“When the developer comes back and appeals, the legal cost to the council increases every time. They would, without a shadow of a doubt, win on appeal.”

But Cllr Nick Brown said the proposed development would fail in achieving the policy of delivering sustainable transport and providing suitable access to local services and facilities. 

The application was voted down by the committee.