County Durham residential development to advance

Gleeson Regeneration has been given the go-ahead to build 80 homes in County Durham.The property firm is looking to transform an 8.6-acre parcel of agricultural land to the north of Windsor Drive in South Hetton into a residential development with a mix of two, three and four bedroom bungalows and houses.Originally, the application had comprised 106 homes, however the number has been reduced.As part of the proposal, amenity open space would be provided primarily to the north west and along the northern boundary of the scheme, with a further smaller area of open space in the south east corner.A planning report, which went before County Durham Area Planning Committee (Central and East) on Tuesday 14 February, said that the project would “bring a number of social and economic benefits directly to South Hetton and the surrounding area”.Specifically, 84 direct jobs and 164 indirect jobs would be generated from the development, while the site is set to create spend in the region of about £6.8m – directly from building activity.The report concluded that the scheme provides a “sustainable development opportunity that would contribute to the provision of a mix of housing size, types and affordability in the area”.It added: “The proposals aim to deliver quality new homes to local people in addition to providing much needed new housing in this location.”The planning committee approved the scheme, subject to the applicant entering into a S106 legal agreement.