Verdict

The Durham County Council hereby give notice in pursuance of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) that planning permission has been REFUSED for the carrying out of the development referred to in Part 1 hereof in accordance with the application and plans submitted for the following reasons:

 

1. In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the application has not demonstrated the proposals represent the 'very special circumstances' necessary to justify departure from the Green Belt policies in the Local Plan and the advice set out in the NPPF. The proposals are therefore contrary to Policies NE2, NE3, NE4 and NE6 of the Chester-le-Street District Local Plan 2003 (saved 2009).

2. Based upon the available evidence the Local Planning Authority do not consider the application has demonstrated to an acceptable degree the perceived harm arising from the safety implications of the proposals will not undermine the level of residential amenity local residents could reasonably expect to enjoy contrary to the general intent of Policies IN5 and IN10 of the Chester-le-Street District Local Plan 2003 (saved 2009).