Responses to DCC consultations
The Trust has just responded to a number of Durham County Council’s supplementary planning documents (SPDs):
- Non-designated heritage assets
- Biodiversity
- Shopfront design
- Energy Efficiency, Renewables and the Historic Environment
Our responses can be seen on our Consultations webpage.
Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) build upon and provide more detailed advice or guidance on policies in the Local Plan. They are a material consideration in decision-making.
However the Trust is concerned that SPDs are not taken seriously enough when planning decisions are reached. Only last week at the County Planning Committee the applicants for the proposed redevelopment of Prince Bishops Place dismissed the Parking and Accessibility SPD as “only guidance” and the Officers and Members approved the application. This was despite the Trust pointing out serious failures to conform with the SPD.
