Wed 23 Nov 2016

Neighbour consultation deadline Wed 23rd Nov 2016

✎ Objection letter:
We have had several queries around petitions and or template objection letters. It is thought that a considered and personal letter carries more weight than repetitive stock letters. You can object through the planning portal here.

Remember the council will only take into account 'material planning considerations' when looking at your comments. So no perceived depreciation of property value.

💡 Tips:

Here we go again

In 2012, Durham County Council Planning Committee REFUSED a planning application by Par Petroleum to extend their site into the green belt. The Committee voted OVERWHELMINGLY (7-1) against the application for the following reasons:

• The application was not deemed to be a "very special circumstance" to warrant incursion into the greenbelt; and 
• There was considered to be too much risk to the surrounding amenity due to the nature of their business  - flammable fuel storage and distribution.

Par Petroleum have this week submitted another planning application, which if successful will significantly increase the size of the site to enable overnight parking for fuel tankers. They again propose to build this extension in the green belt area and nearer to residential properties increasing the risk to local residents – the very reasons the application was refused in 2012 by our Local Councillors.

Good luck

Just a post to wish Councillors Alan Bell and Audrey Willis the best of luck in tomorrows elections standing as Independent candidates.

• Alan proposed the motion to reject the planning application in the Committee Hearing and led the ensuing debate with your best interests firmly at heart.
• Audrey has campaigned tirelessly against the application and addressed the Committee Hearing also.

It is also important to thank your Local Parish Council who stood firmly against the application, your Local MP Kevan Jones and your local Labour Party.



Alan Bell
 

Audrey Willis

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).

Application refused

The planning application has today been refused by the Planning Committee.

• The application was not deemed to be a "very special circumstance" to warrant incursion into the greenbelt.
• There was considered to be too much risk to the surrounding amenity

Congratulations to all involved and well done everyone.