Housing plans approved despite traffic worries

Residents and the parish council voiced concerns about the plans

A plan for up to 400 homes has been given the go-ahead despite concerns over the increase in traffic on a busy road.

Barratt Homes wants to build new housing, a retail unit and mobility hub at Red Barns in Brandon, County Durham.

But residents have said the area already struggles with traffic at rush hour, particularly along the A690 into Durham City.

The developer said the site was in a "sustainable location" and it would would create investment into the area.

The scheme would be split into two phases and include a mix of bungalows and two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Severe stress'

Durham County Council's planning committee was told queues which regularly form from Neville's Cross to the Stonebridge roundabout would be made worse by the new development.

Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council also criticised "severe weaknesses" within the planning application, saying the development posed threats to existing transport and infrastructure.

"Both are already under severe stress at present," a statement read.

"Such a large development may well push existing facilities over the limits and cause a serious systemic breakdown."

Barratt Homes said it had worked in partnership with the local authority to create "high-quality" homes.

Joe Ridgeon, an agent for the developer, told the committee that the site was "a logical rounding off of Brandon" .

"This site is a sustainable location," he said. "The development will create new investment in the area and tangible economic benefits."

Planning officers warned there was a "crystal clear" need for more housing in County Durham, with an estimated extra 2,000 homes required to be built.

The local authority also added work was due to start on improving traffic flow on the A690 in the near future.