City of Durham parish council vows legal action over green belt concerns

Parish councillors have threatened to take legal action if green belt areas are earmarked for development in a county's next local plan.

The warning comes after large parts of land around Durham, including sections of the green belt, were put forward for future development as part of preparations for the new County Durham Plan (CDP).

The city's parish councillors said they would "fiercely oppose" the proposals and were prepared to challenge the plans in the High Court.

Reform-led Durham County Council said submission of the sites did not mean they would be allocated for development.

Local authority planning manager James Cook said each site would be assessed for its suitability and impact on surrounding communities and infrastructure.

He added any changes to green belt boundaries would require "exceptional circumstances" and would have to be considered through the Local Plan process in line with national planning policy.

Local ward member for Neville's Cross councillor Elizabeth Scott said the parish council would defend "every blade of green belt grass".

"We will challenge these proposals throughout the Examination in Public, and if necessary, take our fight all the way to the High Court," the Liberal Democrat said.

Nominated sites include land opposite Stonebridge, Lowes Barn Bank, Crossgate Moor, Merryoaks, north of Moorhouse Wood, as well as green belt land at Sidegate and towards Hopper's Wood, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Other submissions include land affecting Aykley Woods, which also faces opposition from local councillors, and the historic Neville's Cross battlefield.

Councillors said previous green belt releases at Sniperley, which paved the way for thousands of homes, meant Durham had already made a significant contribution to meeting the county's housing needs.

"The green belt is not spare land waiting to be built on," Scott said.

"It protects the unique setting not just of our historic city but also neighbouring towns and villages, it prevents urban sprawl and preserves the countryside that generations have fought to safeguard.

The parish council said further development would place additional pressure on already congested roads, particularly the A167, and raised concerns about infrastructure, biodiversity, heritage and the loss of countryside.

But Cook said future development would bring growth and the new CDP was "necessary" for meeting housing, economy and green infrastructure needs.

"We will continue to work closely with the parish council to bring benefits and growth to the city and surrounding areas," he added.

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