Homes approved despite infrastructure concerns
BanksPlans to build up to 350 homes near a village have been approved, despite concerns the area lacks the infrastructure to support the development.
Residents had questioned if the extra housing, on land north of York Hill Road in Tudhoe, was needed, but Reform-run Durham County Council backed the scheme.
Developer Banks said it was a "high-quality, sustainable development" which would assist the council's housing land supply position with the delivery of "market and affordable housing".
The hybrid proposal had sought planning permission for two phases, which will see 45 homes in the first and a potential further 305 homes.
Locals warned about increased traffic, the impact on GP and school capacity, and the overdevelopment of the wider Spennymoor area.
Funding of more than £1.6m will also be delivered to support schools, healthcare and sports - but planning committee member and Spennymoor councillor Liz Maddison warned it did not mitigate for the loss of land.
She said Spennymoor and Tudhoe were "being targeted to meet County Durham's housing needs".
"We don't want or need anymore new homes," the Independent said.
Supplied"We already have brownfield sites prepared and waiting for a developer, why couldn't this be there rather than on open countryside? We have no housing shortage in Spennymoor and Tudhoe divisions."
Liberal Democrat Mark Wilkes also voted against the proposal due to road safety concerns.
"A blind man on a galloping horse would see that it's not safe. It seems nonsensical that someone would bring such a design and we would allow it," he said.
Despite the concerns, Durham County Council's planning department had recommended the plans be approved to address the region's "outstanding housing need".
Backing the plans, Reform councillor James Stephenson said: "This is a good proposal. The county needs 350 houses."
