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Planning appeal decision

Allowed20 August 20266003496

High Kay Lees Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3QW

Planning appeal 6003496 at High Kay Lees Farm, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3QW (Durham County Council) was allowed on 20 August 2026 by Inspector K Lancaster, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the rural landscape.

the change of use from grazing paddock to all weather horse arena

Authority
Durham County Council
Appeal type
Planning
Procedure
Written
Development
leisure-sport
Inspector
K Lancaster
Postcode
DL13 3QW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the rural landscape

What decided it

The siting of the arena adjacent to established field boundaries and its lower-lying position, combined with the modest scale and proposed landscaping, would ensure that the development would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the area or the Area of Higher Landscape Value.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy 10 of the County Durham PlanPolicy 13 of the County Durham Plan

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 applied

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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  2. Allowed25 September 20266003865
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  3. Dismissed16 September 20266005969
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  4. Dismissed16 September 20266004850
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  5. Dismissed16 September 20266004494
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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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.