Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has been campaigning on behalf of residents of Hunwick regarding local planning applications.
Upon his election as MP, Hunwick residents got in touch with Richard regarding the proposed housing development in Hunwick. The application for the housing development was initially refused in July 2019. A site of 31 properties was originally proposed but was refused on four grounds: accessibility, encroachment into the countryside, lack of enhancing the character of the surrounding area and fundamental flaws in the layout. A new bid on the same site for 25 properties has now been proposed but does not address the original concerns.
Richard met with constituents to discuss the housing development. On top of the refusal grounds, residents are also concerned about two further, crucial issues – flooding and highways accessibility. Roads in and around Hunwick are not suitable for an increase in traffic, which would be a direct result of any new site being build. Local services would be squeezed and residents stressed that services are limited and would not cope with an increase in use. The proposed site is also extremely close to Hunwick Primary School and residents expressed their worries about how building works would affect students.
Following the meeting, Richard wrote to Terry Collins, CEO of Durham County Council, about the issue and also spoke to him about it in a face to face meeting. Richard informed Mr Collins of the concerns of his constituents and also pointed out that, in to the County Durham Plan Examination Library, there are ‘significant overland flow issues on the site which cannot be mitigated rendering the site undevelopable’. Richard wrote to the Council a second time when they responded and failed to address his concerns about the site.
Commenting, Richard said ‘I am working really hard on behalf of residents of Hunwick regarding this housing proposal. It is clear that the site is entirely unsuitable for any kind of housing development – the application was rejected in 2019 and the new proposal fails to address or alleviate any of the original concerns. Residents are understandably extremely worried about the way the site would affect the village and the surrounding area – especially the safety of children who attend the local primary school. I have spoken with Durham County Council about this and will continue to talk with them on behalf of residents of Hunwick. I am really pleased that residents got in touch when I first became MP – I am always here to work hard for my constituents in any way I can.’
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