Homes at former steelworks site refused by council

Homes on the former steelworks site in Consett have been refused by Durham City Council

Plans to build 71 homes at a former steelworks site have been rejected by the local authority.

Project Genesis Ltd had applied to Durham County Council to build the housing estate on land previously used by Consett Steelworks.

The proposal faced hundreds of objections from residents who had urged the council to protect an existing walking and cycling route.

Project Genesis said the development would have delivered "much-needed affordable homes for older people".

The company had planned to build two, three and four-bed bungalows and houses.

A planning statement described the site as a "highly sustainable location" near another residential development, a supermarket, cafe and children's play centre.

Harvey Emms, who represented Project Genesis at the council meeting on Wednesday, said the company had not been given the "proper opportunity to meet officers" during the application process.

Planning officers objected to the project and said it would have "exacerbated issues with the local road network and highway safety."

Liberal Democrat councillor for Consett North, Kathryn Rooney, said: "It’s horrendous to try and get out of the junction at peak times.

"I have exercised my dog on this land and it would be a crying shame if we lost it."

Labour councillor Kevin Shaw for Dawdon, added: "I don’t think I’ve seen a more harmful proposal put forward."

The council unanimously refused the proposal.