Members of the public are being given the chance to comment on the next stage of the County Durham Plan.

The plan will set out the policies to guide where development is located and plan for change in the county over the next 20 years.

Durham County Council’s cabinet will be asked to agree to the finalisation of the six studies which have fed into and helped to inform the plan which will be the subject of significant consultation over the next eight weeks.

The studies provide the background to ensuring the county:

● provides development where it is needed and in the most sustainable locations;

● identifies the amount of affordable housing required and how it will be delivered;

● reviews the current provision of water and sewage works as well as identifying what will       be needed in the future

● provides a guide to ensure developers provide useable open space and the outcome of the Durham Green Belt survey work.

Durham County Council is holding a series of consultation events for the public, in addition to discussing the Plan with all 14 of its Area Action Partnerships.

The following events will take place:

  • 11 September – 4pm to 8pm – Bishop Auckland Town Hall;
  • 14 September – 4pm to 8pm – Stanley Lamplight Centre;
  • 18 September – 4pm to 8pm – Durham City Town Hall;
  • 19 September – 6pm to 9pm –  Wood View Community Centre, Langley Park;
  • 21 September – 4pm to 8pm – Meadowfield Leisure Centre;
  • 25 September – 10am to 2pm – Newton Aycliffe Town Centre; (mobile trailer)
  • 27 September – 2pm to 6pm – East Lea Community Centre, Seaham;
  • 28 September – 4pm to 8pm – Fulforth Community Centre, Sacriston;
  • 1 October – 4pm to 8pm – East Durham College, Peterlee;
  • 2 October – 4pm to 8pm – UTASS, Middleton-in-Teesdale;
  • 3 October – 4pm to 8pm – Glebe Centre, Murton;
  • 4 October – 4pm to 8pm – Coxhoe Leisure Centre;
  • 5 October – 4pm to 8pm – The Hub, Barnard Castle;
  • 8 October – 4pm to 8pm – Bearpark Community Centre;
  • 9 October – 9am to 1pm – St Catherine’s Community Centre, Crook;
  • 10 October – 4pm to 8pm – St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope;
  • 11 October – 4pm to 8pm – Spennymoor Town Hall;
  • 15 October – 4pm to 8pm – Laurel Avenue Community Centre, Sherburn;
  • 16 October – 4pm to 8pm – Ceddesfeld Hall, Sedgefield;
  • 17 October – 4pm to 8pm – St Patrick’s Church Hall, Consett;
  • 18 October – 4pm to 8pm – Wolsingham Town Hall;
  • 18 October – 4pm to 8pm – Shildon Civic Hall;
  • 22 October – 4pm to 8pm – Easington Social Welfare Centre;
  • 23 October – 4pm to 8pm – Ferryhill Literary Institute;
  • 27 October – 10am to 1pm – Chester-le-Street Methodist Church.

In addition to the session above the plan will be available at local libraries, Durham County Council buildings and online at www.durham.gov.uk/cdp

A number of focused community events will also be held and advertised locally prior to the event:

The consultation period runs from September 10 until November 2.

People can also comment in the following ways:

Via the interactive website http://durhamcc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/

Email – CDPconsultation@durham.gov.uk

Write to – FREEPOST Spatial Policy or call 03000 026 000

Cabinet will be asked to approve the finalisation of the six studies when they meet on Wednesday, September 12 at Spennymoor.