Persimmon secures Crook consent

Durham County Council has approved plans for more than 250 homes off High West Road in a project billed as Mown Meadows.

The proposals, totalling 256 homes, include 26 bungalows and houses designed for first-time buyers, ranging from two to five bedrooms across the site.

Thirty eight properties will be transferred to a local housing association or sold at a reduced market rate.

Persimmon’s 37-acre site currently houses agricultural fields.

Previously, plans had been put together for a 103-home detailed consent with outline planning sought for 364 further homes, but the site was then allocated for housing in the local plan with a recommended parameter of around 250 homes.

As part of planning approvals for the site, subject to the Section 106 agreement being agreed, Persimmon is expected to contribute upward of £800,000 to the local authority to go towards a range of local services, including healthcare and education.

The development will deliver a 16% increase in on-site biodiversity and include a comprehensive planting scheme of 3,000 new trees.

Residents on the site will have access to 16 acres-plus of useable public open space, the equivalent of 8 football pitches.

All homes will be fitted with EV chargers and will be built to new building regulations offering reduced CO2 emissions and improved energy efficiency, helping reduce energy bills for homeowners.

Adam McVickers, land and planning manager at Persimmon Durham, said: “We’re delighted that Durham County Council has granted permission for 256 new homes on our Mown Meadows development.

“Persimmon is committed to building high-quality, affordable homes for local people, and this development provides a mix of house sizes for families and downsizers alike.

“Approval of these new homes provides significant funding for improvements to the local area.”

The Persimmon project was considered at DCC’s meeting on March, and the plans can be viewed in full on the local authority’s planning portal with the reference DM/19/02852/FPA.