Planning appeal decision
170 Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 1QH
Planning appeal 6004308 at 170 Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 1QH (Durham County Council) was dismissed on 6 July 2026 by Inspector J Buxton, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the mix and balance of housing in the area.
change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a large house in multiple occupation (sui generis)
- Authority
- Durham County Council
- Appeal type
- Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- J Buxton
- Postcode
- DH1 1QH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the mix and balance of housing in the area
- the living conditions of the occupiers of the surrounding residential properties with particular regard to noise and disturbance
What decided it
The proposal would have an unacceptable effect on the mix and balance of housing in the community by contributing to the erosion of community balance in an area where HMOs already comprised 42.5% of residential properties, contrary to Policy 16 Part 3 of the County Durham Plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 16 Part 3Policy 31
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 96Paragraph 135
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 authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed16 September 2026600449449 Annand Road, Durham, DH1 1PW
- Dismissed11 August 20266006359The Copse, Foxes Row, Brancepeth, DH7 8DH
- Allowed24 July 20263375422Harehill Farm, Haswell Plough, Durham, Durham, DH6 2BA
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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