See some of 199 objections against Leeholme housing plans

The scheme, a 70-home project by Gleeson Homes, will be built on land near Buckingham Terrace in Leeholme, Durham.

It will include a mix of bungalows, and two, three, and four-bedroom houses, with seven homes designated as affordable.

Objections centred on issues such as infrastructure, accessibility to services, highway safety, flooding, contamination, tree loss, and the impact on wildlife.

Traffic and infrastructure concerns

One resident said: “The potential 180 extra vehicles will have such a significant impact to cause extreme concern and high risk to all through the added congestion.”

Another said: “There is no infrastructure to support the existing residents of Leeholme, nevermind to support the application for a further 70 houses.”

Loss of green space

A resident wrote: “I am writing to formally object to the proposed development of 70 dwellings on the greenfield space.”

They said the site “functions as a community green space used daily by local residents—dog walkers, families, and children.”

Environmental impact

Concerns about wildlife and the natural environment were also raised.

A resident said: “The relatively high percentage of trees to be removed on the proposed site would have a huge impact to the visual aesthetics and character of the location.”

Flooding and contamination

Other objections highlighted historical issues with flooding and ground contamination.

One resident said: “There is a history of flooding at the south of the proposed development.”

Another raised health concerns, saying: “The houses that were demolished on site in the late 80s contained asbestos that was never removed from the site.”

“This will lead not only to significant and widespread contamination within the houses, but also presents significant long term health hazards…”

Ground instability and sustainability

Residents questioned the suitability of the land, with one noting: “Local knowledge indicates that temporary properties built here in the 1970s were removed due to ground instability.”

Others said the development was unsustainable.

One objection stated: “Leeholme itself has no employment and basic facilities… Its simply not sustainable.”

Education and services

Concerns were also raised about pressure on schools and other services.

One resident said: “The nearest secondary school is King James in Bishop Auckland, last year it was 150 over capacity and this year 173 with literally no space for one more chair.”

Councillor James Stephenson, of Reform Shildon and Dene Valley, supported residents’ concerns.

He said: “Leeholme does not offer the range of services, employment opportunities or public transport links required to support an additional 70 dwellings.”

“The impacts of safety and congestion are likely to be significant.”

However, not all councillors were opposed.

Councillor Michael Ramage, Independent member for Shildon and Dene Valley, supported the development.

He said: “The development will be for the greater good and of benefit to a significant number of constituents, who have not voiced objections, and in my view, would be for the economic good of the area.”