Planning application
Land To The East Of Oakley Green West Auckland Bishop Auckland DL14 9JF
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
Provide an essential section of the walking and cycling route which will run along the former Stockton and Darlington Railway. Installation of a bridge structure and associated approach slopes for pedestrian and cycle use. Approach slopes, supported by reinforced earth embankments, connect into existing footpaths and public rights of way to the north and the south of the River Gaunless along the alignment of the former S&DR route. A new bridge structure, covering a length of 42.51 metres, is proposed to cross the River Gaunless and be constructed on the existing historic former Gaunless Bridge stone abutments. This bridge will provide a deck width of just under 3 metres which is safe for walking and cycling and will reinstate the connection between the land to the north and south of the river. The proposed bridge parapets will sit at a safe height of 1.1 metres. Atop the parapet, a top railing has been designed to be independent of the parapet arrangement, this will sit at a height of 1.5 metres. At the mid-point of the river, the deck will sit approximately 5 metres clear of the river. The deck is secured by weathered steel angle sections, welded along the top edge of the beams. The proposed bridge foundation design includes bored concrete piles at three locations within each abutment. The piled foundations will ensure that the new bridge will be a self-supporting structure and be fit for use. Approach slopes are proposed at each end of the bridge structure to provide a level ramped access to connect to the existing footpaths and land to the north and south of the Site, and the wider S&DR route. These slopes have been designed to have a 1:20 gradient which is compliant for use by cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users. These slopes will be formed using an earth retaining system, presented in a terraced form. A compacted gravel surface is to be used within the wider Scheme, is proposed to be used on the approach slopes and footpaths.
As published by the council, reference DM/25/02256/FPA
Application record
- Reference
- DM/25/02256/FPA
- Type
- Full Planning Application
- Status
- Pending Consideration
- Received
- 15 Aug 2025
- Validated
- 16 Aug 2025
- Ward
- West Auckland
- Parish
- West Auckland
- Decision by
- Delegated
- Postcode
- DL14 9JF
Site history
Applications at this address on the County Durham register
This site has had 2 applications since 2025: 1 approved, 0 refused.
-
DM/26/00617/DRC Granted
Land To The East Of Oakley Green West Auckland Bishop Auckland DL14 9JF
Discharge of conditions 3 (BNG), 4 (HMMP), 8 (CMP), 11 (CEMP), 12 (Otter Protection Plan), and 13 (Method Statement) pursuant to DM/25/02256/FPA
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
15 Aug 2025
Received by County Durham
-
16 Aug 2025
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
-
20 Jul 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 11 October 2025, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
County Durham took a median of 56 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
Related applications
Cases linked to this one on the register
1 later application on the register refers to this one:
-
DM/26/00617/DRC Granted
Land To The East Of Oakley Green West Auckland Bishop Auckland DL14 9JF
Discharge of conditions 3 (BNG), 4 (HMMP), 8 (CMP), 11 (CEMP), 12 (Otter Protection Plan), and 13 (Method Statement) pursuant to DM/25/02256/FPA
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
27 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.
Open the documentsWhat happens while it is decided
This application is with County Durham for determination, against a statutory target of eight weeks. Over the last year County Durham decided full applications in a median of 66 days. More in our guide to how long planning decisions take.
About full applications
A full application seeks permission for a complete, detailed proposal in one go, with siting, design, access and landscaping all fixed at this stage. More in our guide to planning application types.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
Land To The East Of Oakley Green West Auckland Bishop Auckland DL14 9JF
Discharge of conditions 3 (BNG), 4 (HMMP), 8 (CMP), 11 (CEMP), 12 (Otter Protection Plan), and 13 (Method Statement) pursuant to DM/25/02256/FPA
Granted Conditions 2 docs -
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Granted Heritage and listed buildings Windows or glazing 61 docs -
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External and internal works to facilitate change of use of ground floor and basement from public house (Sui Generis) to 2no. commercial units (1no. Class Ea convenience store and 1no. Eb restaurant) including replacement of window opening with entrance door, installation of signage, installation of odour extraction equipment including external extract duct to rear, installation of a temporary freestanding disabled access ramp; removal of internal partition walls and repairs to decorative ceilings and features
Granted Full applications Windows or glazing 61 docs -
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