Planning appeal decision
Magdalene Heights, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 1SY
Planning appeal 3327209 at Magdalene Heights, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 1SY (Durham County Council) was dismissed on 31 January 2024 by Inspector Clark L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the proposal would be contrary to local policy on student accommodation regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
change use of dwellinghouse (C3) into a small house in multiple occupation (C4) with minor external alterations
- Authority
- Durham County Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Clark L
- Postcode
- DH1 1SY
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether or not the proposal would be contrary to local policy on student accommodation regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
- The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of nearby residents, with regards to noise and disturbance
What decided it
The proposal would result in the loss of a further Class C3 dwelling in an area where 61.8% of properties are already exempt from council tax charges, worsening the residential mix and community balance contrary to Policy 16 of the County Durham Plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 16 Part 3Policy 31
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision


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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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