Seaton's 37-Home Housing Proposal Nixed by Planning Inspector

Seaton's Housing Proposal Meets Its Demise

Plans for a proposed development of 37 homes in Seaton, near Seaham, have been dismissed by a planning inspector, much to the relief of local residents who warned that the plans would be "catastrophic" for their community.

Believe Housing, the developer behind the initiative, initially aimed for 46 homes but scaled back their proposal in response to community concerns. Despite including six affordable homes, opposition from residents and local councillors persisted.

The developer argued that the new housing would bolster the local economy, supporting vital services such as the village’s pubs and community center. They insisted that the housing was "much-needed" in East Durham. However, the community’s response was overwhelmingly negative, with over 360 objection letters and a petition signed by 283 people submitted to Durham County Council.

Alyson Slater, chair of the Seaton with Slingley Parish Council, expressed her fears: "This planning application will have a great impact on the village. It will be seen from every direction. The impact will be catastrophic. We treasure our community spirit, and I’m concerned that this development may dilute it."

The planning inspector’s review followed a previous decision by the Durham County Council planning committee to refuse the development in July 2024, reflecting the strong local sentiment.

The inspector concluded that the site’s location was not suitable for housing, citing accessibility issues to nearby services and the limitations posed by public transportation, which ceases operations after 6:30 PM and is non-existent on Sundays. This leaves residents vulnerable if they lack a car.

While the inspector acknowledged that the proposed design was appropriate, they noted that it would adversely impact the character of the area, causing moderate harm.