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.
Durham County Council is conducting a number of consultations on Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). SPDs provide more detailed guidance about policies in the Local Plan. They are material considerations in determining planning applications. The City of Durham Trust strongly supports the County Council’s initiative in producing a range of SPDs to assist with interpretation and application of particular County Durham Plan policies. We share the desire to secure consistent and focussed planning applications and submissions that address the requirements laid down in policies and to remove the difficulties that have been experienced by Members, officers, applicants and consultees in some cases.
The Trust has responded to consultations on four SPDS:
- Design Code
- Development Viability, Affordable Housing and Financial Contributions (second stage)
- Housing Needs
- Trees, Woodland and Hedges
The Trust’s responses can be seen on the Consultations page of this website.
