An application due to be heard at today’s Durham County Council Central and East planning committee has been pulled at the eleventh hour.
I had requested the development of two flats on Framwellgate Moor Front Street on the site of an old garage workshop go to committee after numerous local residents had objected over the size of the development and its impact on the surrounding area.
The application had provided for bin storage at the rear of the ground floor flat with no access to the road. Any occupants would have had to pull the bins through 18m of house including a sun lounge, kitchen, internal doors, a front door, between parked cars and then do the same after the bins had been emptied.
Council officers had recommended approval for the development.
I provided an explanation to officers as to why the proposal was “bonkers”.
It looks as though someone has finally seen sense at County Hall. Perhaps we will now get a more sustainable development on this site which does not impact as much on surrounding residents. Hopefully it will be in keeping with the area, will not be over development and will provide the necessary bin, parking and access requirements. To recommend for approval an application which would have required a resident to pull a wheelie bin 18m through the house, through four doors, two rooms, and two corridors really was quite bonkers. How anyone thought this was suitable for approval is beyond me.”
The Council will now liaise with the developer to see if a more sustainable development can be provided.