The County Planning Committee of Durham County Council met on Wednesday 04 February 2026 to determine several planning applications. The committee approved a full planning application for 105 new dwellings in Thornley and a hybrid planning application for demolition and new housing in Horden. They also approved a significant minerals and waste application for Tarmac at Old Quarrington and Cold Knuckles Quarry.

New Housing Development in Thornley

The committee approved a full planning application for 105 new dwellings at Land At Coopers Terrace, Thornley, DH6 3DA¹. The development will include 11 two-bedroom bungalows, 13 two-bedroom houses, 53 three-bedroom houses, and 28 four-bedroom houses. Of these, 11 units (10%) will be provided as affordable housing, specifically Discount Market Sale units. The decision was made subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure various contributions, including £123,739 towards increasing nursery/early years capacity, £340,368 for secondary school capacity, £88,179 for SEND school capacity, £59,168 for NHS GP surgery capacity, £173,314 for public open space improvements, and £22,472 for off-site Biodiversity Net Gain provision, along with a £2,485 monitoring fee. Conditions were also imposed regarding landscaping, ecology, drainage, highways, travel plans, contaminated land, and working hours.

Housing Regeneration in Horden

A hybrid planning application for demolition and the erection of 53 dwellings with associated works, along with an outline application for up to 52 further dwellings, at Third Street, Former Fourth Street And Fifth Street, Horden, Peterlee, SR8 4LA² was approved. This decision was made subject to no representations being received from an owner or agricultural tenant within a 21-day period, conditions outlined in the report, and the applicant making internal transfers to the Council totalling £17,672 for off-site formal play space and £2,812 as a monitoring fee for a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan. The application was initially considered for refurbishment by some residents, but the committee ultimately supported the demolition and redevelopment plan, citing extensive consultation and a need for regeneration in the area.

Minerals and Waste Application at Old Quarrington and Cold Knuckles Quarry

The committee approved a significant minerals and waste application for Tarmac Trading Limited at The Quarry, Old Quarrington, Durham, DH6 5NN³. The permission allows for the extraction of Permian Magnesian Limestone and Permian Basal Sand reserves until 2042, the importation of inert material for restoration purposes, the regularisation of the site office, weighbridge, and parking area, and a scheme for the progressive and final restoration of Old Quarrington and Cold Knuckles Quarry by 2044. This approval extends the operational life of the quarry and allows for the commercial sale of limestone that would have otherwise been used for restoration, while also increasing capacity for inert waste disposal. The decision was subject to a Section 106 agreement to render inoperative previous planning permissions, secure the replacement of Bridleway 34/35, discharge existing obligations, and cover ecology monitoring fees. A Section 39 obligation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was also required for the perpetual management of the site and a management plan. Numerous conditions were imposed to mitigate environmental impacts, including those related to working hours, noise, dust, blasting, highway safety, drainage, ecology, heritage, and restoration.

Solar Farm Application Refused

An application for a ground-mounted photovoltaic solar development, electrical substation, and associated infrastructure at Land To The South Of Wagtail Lane, Craghead, DH7 0DT was refused. The refusal was based on two main reasons: the Local Planning Authority considered that the proposal would result in unacceptable harm to the character, quality, and distinctiveness of the landscape, making it an inappropriate location where the benefits did not outweigh the harm. Secondly, the development was deemed to cause a significant deterioration in the recreational value of the area, which was not outweighed by any benefits.

New Housing and Community Park in Coxhoe

An application for the construction of 99 dwellings and a community park & stride at Land West of Gladstone Terrace was approved. The approval was subject to conditions outlined in the report and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure 15% affordable housing on-site (15 units), contributions towards Early Years Education (£123,739), Primary Education (£106,062), SEND schools (£83,140), NHS GP surgery capacity (£47,817), and open space/recreational facilities (£165,092), along with £2,812 for on-site BNG monitoring. The decision followed discussions and amendments regarding timescales for the park and stride construction and the ring-fencing of contributions for local schemes.