The Area Planning Committee (North) was scheduled to consider two planning applications. One application was for the erection of an artificial grass pitch at Park View Upper School and Sixth Form in Chester-le-Street, and the other was for a change of use at 20A Front Street, Annfield Plain, Stanley, to create a tanning salon and a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Artificial Grass Pitch at Park View Upper School

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the erection of an artificial grass pitch (AGP), perimeter and acoustic fencing, LED lighting columns, and an associated car parking area at Park View Upper School and Sixth Form, Chester-le-Street¹. The report pack indicated that the principle of an AGP on this site was considered acceptable, aligning with local and national planning policies regarding community facilities. Substantial weight was to be given to the benefits of new and improved community facilities.

However, the report pack also highlighted concerns regarding the impact on living conditions due to additional parking and vehicle and pedestrian movements in nearby residential streets. This was identified as a potential conflict with County Durham Plan Policies 29(e) and 31, and Policy P3 of the National Planning Policy Framework². Despite these concerns, the report pack suggested that noise and light impacts would not harm the living conditions of nearby residents, and that measures to mitigate such harm could be managed through planning conditions. The report pack also noted that any heritage harm to the setting of the Grade I listed Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert and the Chester-le-Street Conservation Area was considered to be less than substantial and would be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.

Change of Use at 20A Front Street, Annfield Plain

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at 20A Front Street, Annfield Plain, Stanley³. This proposal involved changing the ground floor from a hot food takeaway to a tanning salon (Use Class E) and converting the upper floors into a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4). The report pack indicated that the site was in a sustainable location within Annfield Plain Local Centre, and the proposal was seen as a productive reuse of an underutilised building.

The report pack suggested that the principle of a small HMO in this location was acceptable and would not adversely affect the balance of the local community or lead to an overconcentration of HMOs. It was also noted that the proposal would contribute to the supply of homes in the area. The tanning salon was expected to bring a vacant commercial unit back into active use, supporting the vitality of the local centre. While objections were received concerning the principle of development, impact on community balance, parking, highway safety, and residential amenity, the report pack indicated that these were not considered sufficient to outweigh the benefits of the proposal. The application was recommended for approval, subject to conditions and a legal agreement to secure a contribution towards improving open space.