Plans for 156 homes previously refused by councillors have been recommended for approval after resubmission, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
An application for the new housing estate on land near Westerton Road, Coundon, will go before Durham County Council’s planning committee next week (March 4).
Partner Construction’s proposal includes a mix of apartments, bungalows and multi-bedroom houses, with 24 properties marketed as affordable.
The company said it has worked “extensively” with the council to “deliver a development with a wide range of benefits, both for the local community and the wider Durham County.” Several mitigating measures have been included in the proposal after listening to local concerns, it added.
A statement added: “The application before the committee represents a unique opportunity to secure a significant uplift in housing delivery, assisting the Council in reducing its 5-year housing land supply shortfall. This will increase both market and affordable housing, responding to the historic undersupply of affordable housing delivery across the county.”
Partner Construction has pledged to invest more than £990,000 in local services and facilities.
At a meeting in September 2025, when the proposal was initially refused, locals warned the new homes would have a “severe impact” on the local landscape and village life, including the historic Township field.
Campaigners fought for more than two years against the plan and noted the site’s historical importance, said to have been in use agriculturally since the 1100s, which may have links to Roman times.
Objectors also argued the application conflicted with several local and national planning policies, and would have added significant strain on limited local services. Concerns with the application also centred around drainage and flooding, including the contested use of a nearby culvert.
Speaking after the meeting, Maurice Dixon, a Coundon resident, said: “The unanimous committee decision to reject the application, overturning the recommendation to approve, recognised the severe impact this development would have on the landscape, village life, village context, the rural nature, and further strain on the dwindling services and facilities.”
A total of 218 objections have been sent to Durham County Council.
Durham County Council’s planning department has recommended that the proposal is approved ahead of next week’s meeting.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
