Council’s green belt concerns

Parish councillors have threatened to take legal action if areas of Green Belt land around Durham City are earmarked for development in the county’s next local plan, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

Councillors said they would “fiercely oppose” any attempt to remove additional Green Belt land and were prepared to challenge proposals through the planning process and in the High Court.

The warning follows the publication of sites submitted to Durham County Council’s “Call for Sites” exercise, the first stage in preparing a new County Durham Plan (CDP).

Large areas of land around the city, including sections of the Green Belt, have been put forward by landowners and developers for possible future development.

Nominated sites include land opposite Stonebridge, Lowes Barn Bank, Crossgate Moor, Merryoaks, north of Moorhouse Wood, as well as Green Belt land at Sidegate and towards Hopper’s Wood. 

Other submissions include land affecting Aykley Woods, which also faces opposition from local councillors, and the historic Neville’s Cross battlefield.

At its June meeting, the parish council resolved to oppose any further removal of Green Belt land through the new local plan.

Councillors said previous Green Belt releases at Sniperley, which paved the way for thousands of homes, meant Durham had already made a significant contribution to meeting the county’s housing needs.

Local ward member for Neville’s Cross, Councillor Elizabeth Scott, said: “The Green Belt is not spare land waiting to be built on.

“It protects the unique setting not just of our historic city but also neighbouring towns and villages, it prevents urban sprawl and preserves the countryside that generations have fought to safeguard. Once it is gone, it is gone forever.”

The Liberal Democrat added: “We will defend every blade of Green Belt grass. We will challenge these proposals throughout the Examination in Public, and if necessary, take our fight all the way to the High Court.”

The parish council said further development would place additional pressure on already congested roads, particularly the A167, and raised concerns about infrastructure, biodiversity, heritage and the loss of countryside.

It is urging residents to take part in future consultations on the new County Durham Plan.

However, Durham County Council stressed that the publication of the submitted sites did not mean they would be allocated for development.

James Cook, the council’s planning policy manager, said: “The call for sites is just the first step in the creation of our new County Durham Plan.

“The submission of a site does not mean that it will be taken forward, and it is often the case that more sites will be submitted at this stage than are needed to meet the future needs of the area.”

He said each site would be assessed for its suitability, availability and deliverability, as well as its impact on surrounding communities and infrastructure.

Mr Cook added that any changes to Green Belt boundaries would require “exceptional circumstances” and would have to be considered through the Local Plan process in line with national planning policy.

He said: “We must recognise that future development will bring positive growth, and the new CDP is necessary for meeting the changing needs of the county, such as housing, the economy and green infrastructure. We will continue to work closely with the parish council to bring benefits and growth to the city and surrounding areas.”