Rear of 1&2 North Road , Tow Law, Durham, DL13 4BH

Planning appeal 3352962 at Rear of 1&2 North Road , Tow Law, Durham, DL13 4BH (Durham County Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 9 January 2026 by Inspector Thompson F, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the structure constitutes a caravan and whether there has been a material change of use or breach of planning control.

without planning permission, the material change of use of Plot A of the Land to residential facilitated by the construction of a timber framed chalet structure, with the incidental operational development consisting of the erection of means of enclosure, including fencing, gateposts and gates, construction of hardstanding, patio and vehicular access/parking area

Authority: Durham County Council
Appeal type: enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Thompson F
Postcode: DL13 4BH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the structure constitutes a caravan and whether there has been a material change of use or breach of planning control
Whether the matters alleged in the enforcement notice constitute a breach of planning control
Whether the requirements of the enforcement notice exceed what is necessary to achieve its purpose

What decided it

The structure fails to meet the legal definition of a caravan as it does not satisfy the construction and mobility tests, and therefore constitutes an unauthorised building for residential use not permitted by the extant planning permission.

The decision letter

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More decisions in Durham County Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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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.