COUNCILLORS are meeting to discuss whether 30 homes can be built on the former Coxhoe Pottery site.

The scheme involves the demolition of an existing house and pumping station on the Front Street site.

Gus Robinson Developments has submitted an application to Durham County Council.

Members of the central and east planning committee are due to meet in County Hall at 1pm on Tuesday, February 10, to debate the matter.

The council has received letters of objection from ten households in the area.

Concerns include the loss of the view and privacy for existing residents of the area as well as the loss of space for wildlife.

There are also fears over the increase in traffic it will create and the impact on schools and doctors in the area, which are already over capacity.

Coxhoe Parish Council has objected on the grounds it is a poor form of residential development in design terms and the adverse impact on amenities for residents.

In a statement to the council applicant Gus Robinson Developments said: “The development of the former Coxhoe Potteries site will create a vibrant new

residential scheme of 30 new homes on land currently occupied by a derelict property, which is blighted with asbestos contamination and infested with Japanese Knotweed, an invasive plant species.

“Prince Bishops Homes provides a wide range of quality properties to rent across County Durham and the North-East of England and through our innovative rent to buy scheme, Prince Bishop Homes help prospective purchasers into home ownership who would otherwise be unable to purchase their own home.

“The scheme is designed for those individuals who wish to purchase a home but cannot afford a mortgage or access funding.”

Senior planning officer Tim Burnham has written a report advising councillors to back the scheme.

He said: “Officers also note concern of highway officers relating to visitor parking spaces and acknowledge concerns of Coxhoe Parish Council and local residents in the area who have raised relevant issues against the development.

“The scheme would provide comfortable, if modest housing which would likely be aimed at renters/buyers at the affordable end of the housing market.

“The site has many attributes of previously developed land, has land contamination issues and hosts invasive species and this development

would enable those issues to be addressed.”