Fears raised over village expansion (From The Advertiser Series)
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Concerns raised over Langley Park housing development
11:40am Friday 8th February 2013 in News
CONCERNS have been raised about plans for major housing development on the edge of a north Durham village.
Public consultation is underway over the proposed 400 home plan at Langley Park, four miles outside Durham City.
An exhibition is being held at Wood View Community Centre tomorrow, (Saturday, February 9) following a similar session there on Thursday.
Fears were raised over whether the infrastructure and existing services of the village will cope with the influx of hundreds of people who will live in the new homes.
Retired social services manager Brian Willis, 61, of Middridge Road, said: “There are issues about speeding cars in the village now and parking problems. This will only make it worse.
“This is a small mining village. I do not think it has been thought through in terms of the existing infrastructure.”
The £30m scheme will consist of three, four and five bedroom homes and the company behind the proposal says 20 per cent will be earmarked for families on lower incomes.
Liz Wilkie, 59, a NHS counsellor, who lives on Firs Terrace, said: “It is such a big development. It will change the whole character of the village.”
Durham County Council has identified the site as a preferred option for housing development in the Local Plan it is drawing up.
Caroline Wells, 34, who works for the fire service, said: “I have got two small children, so my concern is about the extra traffic the development will bring. There will be an increase in the volume so it could take longer to get the little ones to nursery and for me to get to work.”
Developers also plan to renovate the rundown Langley Park Old Rec nature reserve, and estimate the scheme could bring £3m into the local economy.
Stockton-based Southlands Management Limited is expected to submit a planning application later in the year to Durham County Council.
Alexandra Crowe, a planner with Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, which organised the consultation, said: “The views will be assessed and taken into account so they are included in statement of community involvement to shape how the application moves forward.”
Saturday’s session runs from 10am-1pm, but anyone unable to attend the event can find out more by calling 0191-261-5685.
