Housing plans submitted

Plans for a new £30m residential development on the outskirts of Durham City have been submitted for planning approval.

Banks Property, part of the Meadowfield-based Banks Group, has put forward plans for 271 two, three and four-bedroom family homes on the 27-acre Browney Lane site, which sits on agricultural land in Meadowfield, near to the junction of North View and Browney Lane.

Banks has its headquarters building on the nearby Meadowfield Industrial Estate, and is now looking to continue its investment in the area.

Around 30 new jobs would be created during the site preparation and construction phases of the scheme, while Banks says local businesses would also benefit from the influx of people that the development would bring to the area.

Managing director Michael Shuttleworth said: “We’re very pleased to have reached this landmark, and believe our development proposals will bring a wide range of benefits to the community if they are approved."

The plans received a positive welcome from local people at an exhibition held by Banks back in August, with 66% of those who completed an event feedback form saying they were in favour of the scheme.

Feedback gathered at the event and during other local consultations has been used by Banks to finalise the design for the site, which has been identified for new housing in the County Durham Plan Preferred Options document.