Planning appeal decision
1 Dene Street, Hetton-Le-Hole, Houghton Le Spring, Sunderland, DH5 9AX
Planning appeal 3359122 at 1 Dene Street, Hetton-Le-Hole, Houghton Le Spring, Sunderland, DH5 9AX (Sunderland City Council) was dismissed on 13 May 2025 by Inspector Scott A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the appeal site is a suitable location for young people in care having regard to the character of the local area.
Change of use from a single residential unit (currently Use Class C3 dwellinghouse) to also allow for the use as care/supported living accommodation for up to two people (Use Class C2 - for under 18s) - with no physical or external alterations
- Authority
- Sunderland City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Change of use
- Inspector
- Scott A
- Postcode
- DH5 9AX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether or not the appeal site is a suitable location for young people in care having regard to the character of the local area
What decided it
The significant police call-out history at the property when care was previously provided, combined with the lack of evidence from the appellant on how to mitigate adverse impacts, meant the Inspector was not convinced the proposed C2 use would not generate adverse noise and disturbance that would detrimentally change the character of the local area.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- EN10BH1HS1
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
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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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