The long running saga of Glenroyd House and its planning application takes another step as the Development Control Committee’s (DCC) decision to reject its last application has been taken to appeal.

To date:

August 2007 the DCC declined an application to change the whole site to offices, hosted by Derwentside CVS, on the grounds that the only vehicular access, Larch Street, (a very narrow road that runs between Glenroyd House and the terrace of Medomsley Road) was inadequate and dangerous.

Nov 2008: Appeal lodged against the planning refusal.

Jan 2008: Appeal withdrawn and new planning application submitted with car parking at the front and shared access with Rosemount home for the elderly through an enlarged opening at the front.

Application accepted subject to limits on working hours and provision of plans for car-parking.

June 2008: Third Application submitted seeking to vary the terms of the planning approval as Rosemount had declined to share access with CVS/Glenroyd. The application involved creating a completely new access alongside the Rosemount entrance.

Application rejected by DCC on grounds of pedestrian and traffic safety.

Ag 2008: Appeal

Those who wish to make representations would be well advised first to consult the file at Derwentside Civic Centre any day Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 4.45 p.m.

They should then make their submission by September 9th (sending three copies) to

The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 3/19a Eagle Wing, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN

You must quote ref: APP/V/1315/A/08/2080021/NWF

I looked for it on the planning appeal portal but couldn’t find it, so I guess it will have to be a pen and ink job.

Whilst this new Conservation area appraisal is titled “Blackhill”, it will be of great interest to people living in Consett North ward, especially those who live on Aynsley Terrace, much of which is in the conservation area.  

Of course, it is also very important to all of us who live in and value this beautiful and historic area.

It’s a substantial document which you can access at http://www.derwentside.gov.uk/getmedia.cfm?mediaid=9897 (but even with broadband it will be very slow to load) and covers a wide range of issues from planning controls to the history of the area, from tree preservation to the architectural heritage. The purpose of it is to create a public debate about what is most important to protect, and what is detracting from or threatens the area.

The development plans team want your suggestions and comments and to enable that there is a “Public Workshop” in Blackhill Community Centre on Monday 29th from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. If you can’t make it to that you can still give your input by filling in the comments sheet which you can download from http://www.derwentside.gov.uk/getmedia.cfm?mediaid=9899

Of particular interest to some people will be the proposed new boundaries which you can see in the plan on page 10 of the document. The bits that have been excluded are marked in blue, with the addition of a large part of the cemetery marked in salmon pink. Alternatively click on the image of the plan to enlarge it.

For further details email developmentplans@derwentside.gov.uk