Coming Soon North East · England

Planning Applications in
County Durham

County Durham has a population of approximately 533100 and is part of the North East region. Search any postcode in County Durham to see recent planning applications near you — including extensions, new builds, demolitions, and change of use applications.

update Last updated: 28 October 2026
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Search County Durham Planning Applications

Search any County Durham postcode above, then save it to a free PlanWatch account so it is ready next time. Paid plans add email alerts for new applications near a saved postcode, sent within hours of them reaching the council register.

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Planning Application Types in County Durham

Based on 2316 applications tracked between 2024-09-23 and 2026-10-26.

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Full

885 applications

38% of all applications

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Householder

386 applications

17% of all applications

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Conditions

287 applications

12% of all applications

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Tree Works

225 applications

10% of all applications

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Change of Use

137 applications

6% of all applications

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Non-Material Amendment

97 applications

4% of all applications

bar_chart County Durham Planning Statistics

2316
Applications tracked
1564
Unique locations
Full
Most common type
10
Application categories

Data period: 2024-09-23 to 2026-10-26 · Updated 28 October 2026

verified PlanWatch local data

What PlanWatch Is Tracking in County Durham

PlanWatch currently holds 2,316 County Durham planning records across 1,564 unique postcode locations, with tracked application dates from 2024-09-23 to 2026-10-26. The most common categories in this dataset are Full (885), Householder (386), Conditions (287).

Use this page to start with a postcode search, then open the official council record for the decision notice, drawings, consultation deadline and any later conditions. That matters because a short application description rarely shows the details neighbours and buyers care about: side windows, roof forms, access, drainage, tree works, opening hours or amended plans.

Check approved drawings

Match drawing numbers and revision letters before relying on a plan.

Read conditions

Find conditions that control privacy, noise, drainage, materials or timing.

Write a useful objection

Keep comments factual, specific and tied to material planning issues.

Planning Battles in County Durham

Notable planning controversies and disputes that have shaped development in the County Durham area.

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Sniperley Park (Pity Me) - 2,292 Homes

2024

Housing Minister overruled council and granted permission for 2,292 homes on greenfield; council had refused citing landscape harm

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Why this matters: Central government intervention in local decision; pattern of recovered appeals to meet national targets

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Burnhope Solar Farm Judicial Review

2024

High Court quashed 49.9MW solar farm permission; council failed to assess agricultural land quality properly

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Why this matters: Renewable energy vs farmland protection; precedent for solar farm assessments

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Seaton 75-Home Appeal Dismissal

2024

Planning inspector dismissed appeal for 75 homes in coastal Seaton; deemed 'unduly harmful' intrusion

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Why this matters: Rare victory for local opposition; shows inspector weighing character concerns

Major Developments to Watch in County Durham

Large-scale projects and developments that are shaping the future of County Durham.

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info What Makes Planning in County Durham Different

  • arrow_right 14 recovered appeals in 2024 nationally; Durham County Council lost key decisions to ministers

Need ~1,000 homes/year; County Durham Plan 2020 allocated ~4,000 homes on green belt historically

Key Areas in County Durham

Durham City Pity Me Sniperley Seaton Burnhope Sherburn House

Large county with green belt tensions; major solar farm controversies; government recovered appeals

Recent Planning Applications in County Durham

Latest applications submitted to County Durham council.

DM/26/02822/FPA 2026-10-26

Removal of the existing rear ground and first-floor conservatories and construction of a replacement two-storey rear extension

44 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA

Pending Consideration
DM/26/02828/PND 2026-10-26

Prior notification for the demolition of Spectrum Leisure Centre

Spectrum Leisure Complex Hunwick Lane Willington Crook DL15 0JA

Pending Consideration
DM/26/02842/NMA 2026-10-26

Non material amendment to change the wording of conditions 2 and 3 (removing the requirement for information to be submitted within 3 months of the date of decision) pursuant to DM/23/01109/FPA

Land North Of Unit 13 Coundon Industrial Estate Coundon DL14 8NR

Pending Consideration
DM/26/02553/FPA 2026-10-26

Erection of a garden outbuilding with decking in the garden to the rear of 4 Hollinside Terrace.

Land South East Of 4 Hollinside Terrace Hollinside DH7 0RQ

Pending Consideration
DM/26/02780/VOC 2026-10-23

Section 73 to vary the wording of Condition 4 (management plan) attached to planning permission DM/22/00613/FPA for the change of use of the property from a dwelling (Use Class C3) to a children's home (Use Class C2) for up to four children.

The Bungalow Albert Street Thornley Durham DH6 3AR

Pending Consideration
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Official Planning Portal

View and search planning applications directly on the County Durham council website.

Visit County Durham planning portal →

Objecting to a Planning Application in County Durham

County Durham Council can only weigh objections that raise a material planning consideration. Personal disputes, loss of a view and property value are not material and are set aside. These are the grounds that do count, with what County Durham's planning officers will expect you to evidence for each.

gavel Overlooking and loss of privacy gavel Loss of light or overshadowing gavel Noise and disturbance gavel Traffic and parking gavel Overbearing impact and scale gavel Character of the area gavel Drainage and flooding gavel Loss of trees

Then write the objection letter, or check what counts as a material consideration before you start. Objections normally have to reach County Durham Council inside the 21-day consultation window.

Frequently Asked Questions — County Durham Planning

How do I check planning applications in County Durham? expand_more
Enter your postcode on PlanWatch to instantly see all recent planning applications in County Durham. We show applications within a 1-mile radius, including extensions, new builds, and change of use applications.
How do I object to a planning application in County Durham? expand_more
To object to a planning application in County Durham, you need to submit your comments during the public consultation period (usually 21 days). Visit the County Durham council planning portal or write to their planning department. Your objection must be based on material planning considerations such as impact on privacy, traffic, or character of the area.
How long does planning permission take in County Durham? expand_more
Most planning applications in County Durham are decided within 8 weeks for minor applications and 13 weeks for major developments. However, complex applications or those requiring committee decisions can take longer. You can track the status of any application on PlanWatch.
Can I get alerts for new planning applications in County Durham? expand_more
You can search and save a postcode for County Durham in PlanWatch. Paid PlanWatch plans add email alerts for new applications near a monitored postcode, sent within hours of them reaching the council register.
What planning applications don't need permission in County Durham? expand_more
Some developments in County Durham fall under "permitted development rights" and don't need planning permission. This includes certain small extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, and changes of use. However, if you're in a conservation area, listed building, or AONB, additional restrictions may apply. Always check with County Durham council before starting work.
Can planning applications affect my property value in County Durham? expand_more
Planning applications near your home in County Durham may affect how you use or assess a property. PlanWatch helps you find the application and link to the official council record; check the drawings, consultation dates and planning decision before making any property decision.
Free — no card needed

Save a County Durham postcode to your free PlanWatch account

Free accounts save one postcode in County Durham so it is ready whenever you want to check what has been applied for nearby. Paid plans add email alerts for new applications near a saved postcode, sent within hours of them reaching the council register.

Free: search plus one saved postcode. We never sell your details, and you can remove your postcode at any time.

Read the planning guides →

Nearby Councils in North East

Explore planning applications in other North East councils.

Darlington
Coming soon
Durham County
Coming soon
Gateshead Metropolitan
Coming soon
Hartlepool
✅ Live data
Middlesbrough
✅ Live data
Newcastle
✅ Live data
Newcastle
✅ Live data
North Tyneside
Coming soon
View all 418 councils →

Planning Guides for County Durham Residents

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How to Object to a Planning Application
Your rights as a neighbour
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Permitted Development Rights Explained
What you can build without permission
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Planning Permission Process
Complete guide from application to decision
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Conservation Areas & Planning
Extra restrictions and protections
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Party Wall Act Explained
Building near a shared boundary
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Planning Enforcement
When rules are broken
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How to Appeal a Planning Decision
Your options after a refusal
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Planning Permission Costs
2025 fee schedule and what to expect
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How Long Does Permission Take?
Timescales from application to decision
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Material Planning Considerations
What councils must and can't consider
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Can Permission Be Refused?
Common reasons and what to do next
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Retrospective Planning Permission
Applying after building without consent
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How to View Planning Applications Near You
Search by postcode & read the decision
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Planning Alerts
Paid monitoring for saved postcodes, alerts within hours

Do I Need Planning Permission For...?

🏠 Conservatory 🏘️ Extension 🏡 Loft Conversion 💼 Garden Office 🚗 Garage 🏚️ Shed 🪵 Fence 🚪 Porch 🅿️ Driveway 🛣️ Dropped Kerb 🪵 Decking ☀️ Solar Panels ♨️ Heat Pump 🔌 EV Charger 🏗️ Carport 🧱 Cladding

Specialist Topics

🔄 Change of Use 🏛️ Listed Buildings 🏢 Flats & HMOs 🌳 Trees & TPOs 🏕️ Mobile Homes & Caravans 📋 Section 106 Agreements

Common Planning Situations

🏗️ Building Too Close to Boundary ☀️ Extension Blocking My Light 🛑 Can I Stop a Planning Application? 🏘️ New Housing Development Near Me 🏢 Commercial in Residential Area ⚠️ Built Without Permission 📡 Phone Mast Near Me 🏡 Garden Room & Outbuilding 🔄 Pub/Shop Converting to Flats ✋ How to Stop a Planning Application 🔨 Neighbour Building Extension

Data Sources

For local trades

The biggest jobs in County Durham are announced weeks before anyone is hired

A conservatory, an extension, a re-roof — it starts life on this page as a planning application, weeks before the homeowner picks a firm. PlanWatch reads every application and turns them into a monthly, addressed lead list for exactly one firm per trade per area.

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