Gleeson wins Leeholme approval 

Durham has given the go-ahead to a 70-home development on 7.5 acres in the village, following a rejection of the scheme last September.

The site is currently vacant grassland, following the demolition of 1920s terraced housing sometime in the 1980s.

Located on land east of Buckingham Terrace and Coundon, the site is divided in two by a central row of trees, with the larger north portion surrounded by terraced houses on three sides.

The southern area is bordered by terraced housing on Osbourne Street to the east, allotments to the west, and open countryside to the south.

Given the previous housing on the site, there is already an existing road network and access points.

The suggested housing mix is for one- and two-storey buildings of two- to four-bedrooms, with eight bungalows and seven affordable units in the mix.

The scheme was refused last year, with Reform cllr Kate Rowland noting that the scale of the project would ‘overwhelm’ the village’s traditional mining character.

Speaking at the meeting this time round, Jack Osgerby on behalf of the applicant, said: “The applicant has worked closely with officers since the development was previously reported to this committee, addressing concerns raised about the site’s access and sustainable modes of transport.

“The applicant has reassessed transport links and it is now recognised that there are suitable walking and cycle routes surrounding the site.”

Moving approval of the scheme, Reform cllr Jill Campbell said the county’s current housing shortfall should be considered, saying: “To me, the benefits outweigh any issues.”

Leeholme village is around two miles north east of Bishop Auckland and was built to house miners and their families following the opening of Leasingthorpe Colliery in 1836.