Argos in Newton Aycliffe town centre Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT A COUNTY Durham branch of Argos will close its doors for good next month in what has been described as a disappointing loss for the town. The shop which incorporates an EE branch on Greenwell Road in Newton Aycliffe town centre will permanently close on Saturday, May 8. Councillors have since reacted to the planned closure with one saying it is a worrying time for the town centre. Earlier this month, signs could be seen going up saying it would cease trading, telling customers they would soon need to tavel to Bishop Auckland to continue shopping.
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• 16 Apr 2021
NO-GO: The latest plans to build houses on part of the St Peter s site has been turned down
A PROPOSAL to build 39 homes on part of the former St Peter’s School site at Gainford has been rejected.
Kebbell Homes applied to build the houses on the part of the site it owns after failing to reach agreement with Ruttle Plant, which owns the former school buildings, to progress a previously approved, more comprehensive, plan.
That plan included converting the remaining school building into homes.
Planning officer Steve Pilkington told Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee last week that there had been six letters of objection to Kebbell Homes’ latest proposal.
DISTRESSING: Planning committee chairman Cllr John Clare
A COUNTY planning committee has approved a proposal for two holiday huts in a rural part of the dale – despite its chairman admitting anyone would be “horrified” if the development happened in a garden next to their home.
Nine people had objected to plans for two new shepherd’s huts at Lonton, near Mickleton, before officers recommended it for approval by members of the south and west planning committee last week.
Planning officer Steve Pilkington told councillors that while the objectors worried about visual impact, noise and light pollution and general disturbance, on balance the development would not have a significant impact on the quality of life of neighbours, nor adversely affect the wider landscape.