Concerns raised over plans to demolish historic house to make way for six detached properties

3:20pm Sunday 26th January 2014 in News

By Hannah Bryan, Reporter (Darlington)

Croft House, which could be demolished to make way for six detached houses

RESIDENTS have raised concerns over plans to demolish a Victorian house and replace it with six detached properties.

Broadacres Housing Association has submitted an application to Darlington Borough Council to demolish Croft House, in Tees Way, Hurworth Place, and replace it with four five-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses.

The proposal also includes plans for parking for up to 12 cars with a private access drive from the A167.

The 19th century house, which was built by Sir Ernest Cassell for his father and mother-in-law, lies on a flood plain close to the River Tees.

As a result, the application includes plans to build the houses approximately 1.5m above the surrounding area, allowing water to be directed away from the properties.

However residents have raised concerns, saying the plans do not include enough information on how the development will affect the neighbouring properties.

The site has been subject to a number of planning applications over the past few years, and Hurworth Place resident, Sue Williams said: “The residents who have had the applications hanging over them for over seven years are opposed to the demolition of the house which is of historical interest and is part of the estate that includes the nearby row of listed cottages.”

She added: “Flooding is a major issue, the homes are on the flood plain and the plans lack detailed consideration of how the development will affect the existing properties.

“The homes are two-and-a-half storeys high and are built on a plinth to protect them from flooding and residents are concerned about the height of the houses within this sensitive area.

“Overall the residents are concerned about the lack of detail in the plans, especially as they have not been approached by the developers.”

Councillor Martin Swainston said the application is a step in the right direction, but left a lot of questions in regards to flooding unanswered.

He also urged the developers to meet with residents and take their concerns on board.

“This is an area that floods and people have got a genuine concern that if someone builds there, where is the water going to go?” he said.

“If the building isn’t going to cause flooding and water displacement, I think it is something people would welcome and accept. If it does not, we will fight it tooth and claw.”

Nobody at Broadacres Housing Association was available for comment.

Residents have until January 29 to submit their views on the application.

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Comments (3)

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4:44pm Sun 26 Jan 14

NO EINSTEIN

says…

Lets go by facts here,

1. You have a house in a flood area that I doubt anyone will buy, and no sain insurer will underwrite.

2. You have the chance of six new houses that A, will bring in money re council tax, as well as money to the area, and B, will give people a roof over their head, to which there is a shortage.

3. In this blame culture we live in, trust me the builders will not stick up six houses that will wash away with the first rains, and I just know they will build/design the relative flood defences to make sure of this.
There underwriters for the houses, so they can give a decent warranty, will be quite firm on this point also, unless there mad.

Lets go by facts here,

1. You have a house in a flood area that I doubt anyone will buy, and no sain insurer will underwrite.

2. You have the chance of six new houses that A, will bring in money re council tax, as well as money to the area, and B, will give people a roof over their head, to which there is a shortage.

3. In this blame culture we live in, trust me the builders will not stick up six houses that will wash away with the first rains, and I just know they will build/design the relative flood defences to make sure of this.
There underwriters for the houses, so they can give a decent warranty, will be quite firm on this point also, unless there mad.
NO EINSTEIN

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