Ok, so after years of trying to get the council to deal with the problems on South Terrace, i have had enough.

Student properties have been built (doubling the population on the street) with no proper planning permission yet they have been occupied for years. The container in the photo has been there donkeys years in full view of neighbouring properties, which the council despite repeated requests has failed to get shifted – there should actually be a turning point and a bin storage area was requested.

The road surface has not been fully upgraded despite it being a planning condition and it is now dangerous near the entrance to Front Street.

The result of this inappropriate over-development and failure to act by the planning department is the worst kind of deteriorating conditions for the residents living here.

If I were to check back I expect I would find 100+ times when I have had to contact officers from one department or another over problems on this street.

Issues on this street have even been raised as high as the chief exec and leader. An internal audit report was even carried out at my request over elements of the problems. Yet still the problems persist.

Every few months there are overflowing bins or fly-tipping or some other problem and still the entrance road deteriorates.

Here are some photos from today. This is what happens when Durham’s planning department does not get to grips with a situation. It causes further continued problems.

Other council departments have to pick up the pieces at cost to the taxpayer and local residents to have to live in appalling conditions. It is an unacceptable failure by Durham County Council. at the highest level.