The forthcoming planning application will be in outline only - this means that only the principle of development, alongside initial design parameters, and details of access will be considered within the planning application.
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Further details on the appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of the development will follow at a later date, should outline planning permission be granted by the Council.
In order to prepare this outline planning application we have considered the following:
Sustainability
The new homes will be designed to meet the latest Building Regulations standards.
A high level of energy efficiency will be achieved in each home through measures such as air-source heat pumps and a fabric-first approach to the design of the properties. Electric Vehicle charging points will also be provided for each new home.
Active Travel
The site is in a sustainable location with footpath links to the main services within Hurworth. Bus-stops can be reached easily on foot. Major employment hubs in and around Darlington can also be reached by bus or bicycle.
There are three pedestrian access points to the site with two of these located on the southern boundary of the site allowing easy access to Roundhill Road and facilities within the village centre.
Flooding
The site is wholly within Flood Zone 1 (the lowest risk of flooding) in relation to the risk of flooding from rivers and seas. However, we are aware that parts of the site are at high risk of surface water flooding.
This development provides the opportunity for a sustainable drainage solution to be secured which will improve drainage on the site and reduce the risk of flooding in the surrounding area.
Archaeology
So far an Archaeological Desk Based Assessment has been prepared which indicates that the site has ‘medium’ potential for archaeological remains.
The necessary surveys will be undertaken to identify, and if required, record any archaeological remains.
Contamination
We recognise that there is a potential risk of contamination resulting from the current farming use on the site. Further survey work will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
Nutrient Neutrality
Hallam are fully aware of the need to demonstrate Nutrient Neutrality and have a secure mitigation strategy in place using off-site land to off-set the nitrates produced by the development.
Highways
The planning application will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment which will assess the impact of the development on the road network.
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​A policy compliant and deliverable access point can be provided.
Ecology/ Biodiversity
An initial ecology assessment has indicated that the arable and grassland habitats that form the majority of the site are of low nature conservation value. The hedgerows on the site are recognised as Habitats of Principle Importance and will be retained as part of the development.
A number of enhancement measures will provide new foraging habitat, movement corridors and places of rest or shelter for a wide range of species. A Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% will be achieved through the development.
Planning Policy
Hurworth is identified as a Service Village within the Darlington Local Plan.
These villages are identified as locations where a range of services will be maintained and a level of development will meet local needs. In light of the range of services available, Service Villages are considered to be locations where development opportunities may be acceptable.
The site lies directly adjacent to the settlement boundary of Hurworth and is the logical next step for development in the village.
We are aware of a previous planning application at the site which was refused by Darlington Borough Council in 2020. This has assisted us in creating an appropriate development at this time in light of the changing national and local planning context since the application was considered.
Planning Policy Map
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