AYCLIFFE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

400 NEW HOMES “DEPARTS FROM STRUCTURE PLAN”

Four hundred new homes proposed for Eldon Whins near Cobblers Hall in Newton Aycliffe are a “Departure from the County Structure Plan” as formally advertised in the Northern Echo of 24^th April (page 45). The 11.5ha site lies between Greenfield Road, Middridge Lane and the Cobblers Hall plantation.

Developers Yuill Homes of Hartlepool say these will be environmentally friendly “Eco Homes”, but they will still put a large amount of extra traffic on the inadequate C35 road from Rushyford and also Middridge Lane. There will be a new roundabout to give access to the site, but as yet there are still no proposals to upgrade the C35.

A representative of the County Council Highways Department agreed some 15 years ago that the C35 needed upgrading due to the very high volumes of traffic using this road. – it was not built for high volumes of traffic.  Since the Chilton By-Pass has been constructed it is very noticeable that the volume of HGV vehicles using the C35 has also significantly increased, adding further pressure on this narrow, winding road. 400 new homes indicate the potential for a minimum of 400 new cars having access to the C35 as it would be the quickest route to the North and East.

Residents who are not happy with these plans can register an objection with the Council before the deadline for objections of Thursday 8th May 2008. Send to: Head of Planning Services, Sedgefield Borough Council, Council Offices, Spennymoor DL16 6JQ. Tel: 013988 816166.

TO VIEW THE SITE PLAN CLICK HERE