We are delighted to report that the planning application to build a crematorium on land to the north of the former brewery site at Castle Eden has been rejected by the county planning committee this afternoon.
You will be aware from previous posts on this site that planning officers at Durham County Council had recommended that planning committee members approve the plans (see posts dated 12 December 2013, 3 January 2014 & 7 March 2014).
However, working closely alongside residents, Castle Eden parish council, local businesses and representatives from Castle Eden golf club, we identified a number of flaws and inconsistencies in the proposals put forward by the applicant, and also within the planning officer's report.
Along with Barry Turnbull from CEPC and Phil Barclay from the residents' group we addressed the planning committee today, highlighting our concerns about a number of issues including the risk of golf balls straying onto the proposed site and the potential return of anti-social behaviour at the access road to the site should the Traffic Prohibition Order be lifted to allow the development to proceed.
We also emphasised the point that, as local members, we had received not one letter or telephone call in support of the application, whilst 125 letters of objection and 2 petitions against the plans had been submitted as part of the public consultation exercise.
Planning committee members agreed with us that there were material planning reasons to oppose the application and they subsequently rejected the proposals on planning policy grounds, among others.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank the clerk and members of Castle Eden parish council, Phil Barclay who organised the campaign on behalf of residents and also business representatives from the Castle Eden golf club and The Old Brewery for their tireless work and unstinting support throughout.
The welcome outcome of today's meeting demonstrates just what can be achieved when elected members, residents and businesses work closely together for the benefit of the whole community.
