Estate’s roundabout requirement dropped

A housebuilder has been allowed to scrap a requirement to improve a County Durham roundabout despite a warning that the junction is “extremely dangerous”, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

Durham County Council’s planning committee approved an application by Miller Homes to remove a condition attached to planning permission for its 288-home development off Iveston Lane, near Delves Lane.

The condition required improvements to the Delves Lane and Gloucester Road roundabout before the 113th home on the site could be occupied.

Independent councillor Kenny Hope, who represents Delves Lane, urged the committee to keep the condition, arguing the junction remained a significant road safety concern.

“The current roundabout is extremely dangerous and there are regular road traffic collisions in this location,” he said.

“Many of these incidents are not reflected in official data because drivers often deal directly with their insurers rather than reporting them to the police.”

Councillor Hope said he used the road every day and regularly witnessed near misses, adding that residents frequently contacted him with concerns about safety.

“They will be disappointed if the works do not proceed as originally intended,” he said.

However, Miller Homes submitted updated traffic modelling, which concluded the roundabout would continue to operate within acceptable limits without the planned improvements.

Council highways officers accepted the findings, describing the assessment methodology and conclusions as robust.

In a report to the committee, planning officers said: “Taking all material considerations into account, it is not considered that the proposals would conflict with any of the relevant policies within the development plan or any other material considerations.”

Two other objectors also argued that traffic from nearby housing developments would place increasing pressure on the junction.

They said the existing painted roundabout encouraged some motorists to drive straight across the centre rather than negotiate it correctly, and claimed physical improvements remained necessary to improve safety and accommodate future traffic growth.

Suggested alternatives included widening the junction, installing traffic lights or replacing the painted layout with a raised central island.

But two submissions supporting the application also argued that, rather than carrying out the previously approved scheme, the condition should be removed to allow a more comprehensive redesign of the junction in future, such as traffic signals or a raised roundabout.

Durham County Council’s planning committee backed the proposal. 

The housing development received planning permission in April 2023 and will provide 288 homes, including a mix of three, four and five-bedroom houses and bungalows.