A County Durham school will receive a significant financial boost to expand to cope with extra demand from a new housing development.
Wellfield School in Wingate is set to be given £437,616 as plans for 137 homes in nearby Wheatley Hill were approved by Durham County Council. The funding package is part of a planning obligation agreed by developer Gleeson Homes for the new estate. A proposal was approved by the council’s planning committee on Monday (October 20) after a previous deferral in September.
Funding for Wellfield School comes after it warned there would be capacity concerns and that further finance is required to enable expansion works at the school. Internal remodelling works, classroom construction and the redevelopment of the playing fields will allow the school to increase its capacity to provide an additional 89 places.
Home expansion
Gleeson Homes proposed building a mix of bungalows and two, three and four-bedroom homes on land near Quilstyle Road.
The council’s planning department said the site is a sustainable location and the proposed homes would help address the identified needs in County Durham.
A statement from Gleeson added: “The proposals aim to deliver quality new homes to local people in addition to providing much-needed new housing. Gleeson has an ethos of providing high-quality, low-cost homes, targeting first-time buyers and those looking to advance onto the property ladder.”
Concerns for the expansion
However, some residents warned that the increased traffic the development would cause on Quilstyle Road – a main bus route to Durham and Sunderland – would impact locals.
Neil Craggs, local county councillor, also warned about the capacity of local schools, GP surgeries, and dentists.
“While I am not opposed to new development in principle, I am concerned that this application does not adequately address the realities on the ground, particularly with regard to education provision, traffic impact, site access, and community services, said cllr Craggs, Reform UK member for Thornley and Wheatley Hill.
He added: “I support sustainable development that is proportionate, properly planned, and supported by robust infrastructure. However, this proposal raises multiple unresolved concerns that must be addressed before any approval is considered.”
But committee members backed the scheme’s revised financial contributions.
Councillor Kenny Hope, Reform member for Delves Lane, said: “The points raised in the last meeting that led to the deferral have been satisfactorily answered. I support the officer’s decision to approve the application.”
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