Chilton Town Council has formally submitted its response to Durham County Council’s (DCC) Selective Licensing consultation, making a firm case for specific local streets to be included in the upcoming scheme.
The current county-wide scheme, which launched in April 2022 and requires private landlords in designated areas to acquire a licence and meet strict standard conditions, is approaching its 2027 expiration date. Over the summer, DCC launched a review to determine whether to extend, scrap, or reshape the policy. Given that areas of Chilton have historically been designated under selective licensing, the Town Council has submitted local feedback to ensure our community’s specific housing needs are addressed.
In its official submission, the Town Council argues that sections of Chilton meet the strict threshold criteria for regulation due to ongoing community challenges. The Council’s response explicitly names Albert Street, Arthur Street, and the Five Rows as areas in urgent need of the scheme’s protections.
Town Councillors pointed directly to recent evidence to back up their demands including community testimonies detailed during the Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting on 5 August highlight severe local challenges and indicators set out in the county’s draft evidence report; high levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and social deprivation, directly linked to a high concentration of private rental properties. This resulted in a strong, formal request to Durham County Council to cross-reference its data systems before drawing the final boundary lines,
The Town Council stresses that including these streets in the final 2027 scheme is vital to protect vulnerable local residents, tackle rogue landlords, and restore a basic quality of life to the heart of the Chilton community.
To read the Town Council’s full response visit www.chiltondurham-tc.gov.uk
Durham County Council is currently reviewing all submitted evidence before finalizing which streets will be legally bound by the new licenses. Residents can stay informed on the consultation’s progress via the Let’s Talk County Durham Portal.
Sue Reece
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
