Durham County Council Decides on Recent Planning Applications
Durham County Council has approved several planning applications, including the transformation of a former school into business units and new residential projects.
Durham, UK, Planning Applications, Rookhope Primary School, Bungalow, Startforth Hall, Bishop Auckland, Crook
Durham: The former Rookhope Primary School is set to become five business units. This change fits right in with the National Planning Policy Framework, which encourages reusing land in rural spots.
The school had to close its doors because there just weren’t enough students. The application to change its use was submitted back in September and got the green light in January.
Turning the school into small commercial spaces seems like a good fit for the area. In another project, a four-bedroom bungalow is going up on land north of Gable Terrace in Wheatley Hill.
This application was submitted in April, validated in May, and also approved in January with a Section 106 agreement. The bungalow has to be self-built or custom-built, and the builder or their family must live there for at least three years.
Plus, they need to install an electric vehicle charging point before moving in, and it has to stay maintained.
Another planning application was approved to change some land into a bigger domestic garden and create an all-weather recreation court at Startforth Hall in Barnard Castle.
This Grade II listed building is located just south of Startforth Village. The Environmental Health Officer didn’t raise any objections but did ask for info on what to do if there’s contamination.
The proposal met all the necessary development plan policies, so it was deemed acceptable. There was also a nod for refurbishing the shop front and splitting the ground floor unit at 9 North Bondgate in Bishop Auckland.
This proposal was submitted in November 2024 and got approved on January 15, 2025. The senior design officer mentioned that this would really enhance the building’s look and benefit the surrounding conservation area.
Additionally, a planning application for new signage at 8 South Street in Crook was approved. This includes a lit brand fascia, a heritage projecting sign, a service directory, marketing posters, and more.
They even approved an ATM with an open advert collar. If you want to check out all the planning applications and their details, you can find them on the Durham County Council website.