Agenda item

Part residential conversion into 6 dwellings, 2 new dwellings and 4 apartments

The Committee considered the report of the Senior Planning Officer regarding the part residential conversion into 6 dwellings, 2 new dwellings and 4 apartments at Dalton Pumping Station, The Waterworks, Cold Hesledon, Murton, Durham (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer provided the Committee with a detailed presentation which included photographs of the site and a plan of the proposed layout. The Senior Planning Officer highlighted that 2 applications were detailed for consideration as the proposal sought listed building consent as well as full planning permission.

In response to a query from Councillor J Clark, the Senior Planning Officer clarified where car parking was to be provided on the site.

Councillor Conway was very supportive of the application, particularly as it involved the renovating of a heritage asset. In response to a query from Councillor Conway, the Senior Planning Officer advised that as of yet, a charitable trust had not been established though the applicant had been making attempts to progress that aspect. Members were assured that in line with the S106 agreement, no development would commence until a charitable trust had been established.

Councillor Bleasdale queried whether all vehicles leaving the site would be exiting directly onto the B1432. The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that would be the case, however the heritage asset would only be open to the public for approximately 2 days per month. The Highways Officer clarified that the development was very small scale and highlighted that currently the existing access had no pedestrian access. Should the application be approved, the applicant would be improving the access to adoption standards , plus a footway would be developed and the 2 local bus stops would also be improved.

Seconded by Councillor Conway, Councillor Bleasdale moved approval of the application.

Resolved:- That the application be approved subject to the conditions and S106 Planning Obligation detailed within the report.