News Beat
Plans to demolish 110 Horden homes approved by council
Homes on Third and Fifth Street in Horden will be reduced to rubble as part of £10.7m plans to for 105 new homes as part of a major regeneration project.
Durham County Council’s planning committee gave plans, which include building on green space on the already-demolished Fourth Street site, the go-ahead on Wednesday (December 3),
The scheme, first announced in 2019, has been branded a “catalyst for change”, spurred on by one in ten homes standing empty and boarded up, and the area is plagued by anti-social behaviour.
But for those living in homes marked for demolition, the decision came as a bitter blow as they will have to relocate.
More than a dozen came out ahead of the meeting to protest the plans, holding placards outside the council’s HQ calling for the homes to be refurbished rather than demolished.
In the meeting, councillors heard from David Ramos, a resident of Fifth Street who spoke passionately against the plans, emphasising the community “do not want their homes to be destroyed”.
He said: “This is not just a planning application, it’s my life.
“I never thought I’d have to move again, but here we are. We are asking you to refuse the plans or defer them before 110 perfectly good homes are lost forever.
“This is a wonderful community that would be torn apart by what is proposed here. I’m living with constant uncertainty. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Councillor Dawn Bellingham, representing Horden and Dene House ward, asked the planning committee to “weigh up” the impact demolitions would have.
She said: “I am not opposed to the redevelopment of these streets in Horden. We are in genuine need of investment. Investment that will benefit all our residents.
“The need for more good-quality housing cannot be understated. For decades, the area has suffered from severe market failure.
“This has resulted in damaged and unsafe properties, increased anti-social behaviour and an increase in vermin as the neighbourhood has deteriorated.
“There are occupiers who do not want to leave these streets. For them, this has been deeply emotional. I ask members to carefully weigh up the options in front of us.”
After debate, plans were passed on the basis there is a need for new social housing in the area.
Following the decision, Cllr Joe Quinn, cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, added: “The approval of these plans represents an important step forward in efforts to regenerate Horden.
“Once complete, the scheme will offer a choice of high quality, well-designed and much-needed affordable homes for local people, with existing residents of Third and Fifth Street given priority.
“The new housing will also help to tackle issues associated with long-term empty homes and reflects our commitment to building vibrant and resilient communities across County Durham.
“Furthermore, we hope the investment we are making in Horden’s future will attract other investors and result in even more regeneration activities in the East Durham area.”
