The Reform UK led planning committee at Durham County Council has just approved the application by Barratts to build 299 new houses on land adjacent to Burton Beck Farm.
112 residents and the Town Council raised objections to this application, which was previously refused in Macrch 2025, highlighting serious worries about the impact this development will have on our already stretched local services. Our schools are close to capacity, GP surgeries are struggling to meet demand, and local roads are already congested at peak times. Adding nearly 299 more homes will inevitably increase pressure on education, healthcare, public transport, and other essential infrastructure.
Councillors Pete Molloy and Liz Maddison, and the Town Clerk, all spoke against the application, setting out the concerns of local residents, but the committee ignored these concerns and approved the development.
Barratt homes have promised in the region of £1.3 million to Durham County Council to be spilt across services such as eduction, health and transport, however this financial package is to be spread across the whole county so it will have little to no impact here in Spennymoor.
It seems that this promised investment, along with the additional Council Tax revenue it will provide, was too tempting for the Reform UK led County Council, and hoes to show that they are more interested in putting financial gain over the needs of the people of Spennymoor.