Planning authority
Durham County Council
Adopted plan 6 years old; HDT 131%.
- Plan over 5 years old
Adopted plan
| Plan | County Durham Plan 2020 |
| Adopted | 21 October 2020 |
| Age | 6 years |
| Plan period | 2016–2035 |
| Housing requirement | 24,852 homes |
| Council's page | The adopted plan |
Plan in preparation
No plan in preparation on record.
From the national planning data platform, which can lag behind the council. Known gaps
Housing Delivery Test
| Measurement | 131% (2025) |
Applications
| Period | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Received | 1,949 |
| Decided | 1,679 |
| Granted | 1,565 (93%; England 87%) |
| Refused | 114 |
| Major applications decided | 103, of which 94 granted |
| Quarter | Received | Decided | Granted | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 537 | 437 | 399 | 38 |
| October to December 2025 | 504 | 418 | 390 | 28 |
| January to March 2026 | 448 | 393 | 366 | 27 |
| April to June 2026 | 460 | 431 | 410 | 21 |
Appeals
| Decided | 1 September 2021 to 28 August 2026 |
| Planning appeals | 212: 54 allowed, 0 split, 158 dismissed |
| Householder appeals | 38: 5 allowed, 0 split, 33 dismissed |
| Allowed in full or in part | 24% (England 32%) |
Latest planning appeals
| Decided | Site | Development | Procedure | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 2026 | High Kay Lees Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL13 3QW Application DM/25/02546/FPA | Change of use | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 11 August 2026 | The Copse, Foxes Row, Brancepeth, Durham, DH7 8DH Application DM/25/01192/FPA | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 4 August 2026 | Land To The South Of Playground, Dene View, High Hesleden, County Durham, TS27 4QD Application DM/25/01679/FPA | Minor Dwellings | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 28 July 2026 | 12 The Hallgarth, DURHAM, DH1 3BJ Application DM/25/02965/VOC | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 24 July 2026 | Land to the south of Wagtail Lane, Craghead, Durham, DH7 0DT Application DM/24/03466/FPA | Other Major Developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 24 July 2026 | Harehill Farm, Haswell Plough, Durham, Durham, DH6 2BA Application DM/24/03473/FPA | Other Major Developments | Hearing | Allowed |
| 20 July 2026 | 40 Second Street, Bradley bungalows, Consett, DH8 6JX Application DM/25/03550/FPA | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 20 July 2026 | 4 Goodyear Crescent, Sherburn Road Estate, Durham, DH1 2EB Application DM/25/03521/FPA | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 6 July 2026 | 170 Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 1QH Application DM/25/01398/FPA | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 30 June 2026 | LILAC LODGE, EAST TERRACE, RODDYMOOR, COUNTY DURHAM, DL15 9QY Application DM/25/00161/FPA | Minor Dwellings, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
Each outcome links to the case on the Planning Inspectorate's site, where the decision letter is published.
Changes recorded
- 17 October 2026 Records added late or corrected (not new this week): adopted plan now shown as County Durham Plan 2020 (adopted 2020-10-21)