I attended the Central and East planning committee this morning to speak against one of the small two bed ex-Miners cottages in Framwellgate Moor being converted into a four bed HMO (House of Multiple Occupation).

The proposal was in breach of national guidelines and local planning policies. Labour councillors led by their leader voted en-masse in favour of the application, with the Labour group leader saying their were no policies in place to refuse the application. Despite the fact the policies had been discussed and debated for an hour.

It would seem that Labour councillors are still happy to allow housing to be converted in Durham so that people have to live in cramped conditions. It beggars belief.