Planning application
DM/26/01362/CEU
55 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
Proposal
The property has been continuously occupied as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) by 3 to 6 unrelated individuals who share basic communal amenities, falling within Planning Use Class C4. This C4 use was fully established prior to the implementation of the Durham City Article 4 Direction on 16 September 2016 and has been continuously maintained without interruption down to the present day. A Certificate of Lawfulness is therefore sought to confirm that the existing Class C4 use is lawful
As published by the council, reference DM/26/01362/CEU
Timeline
Dates from the published record
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29 May 2026
Received by County Durham
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4 Jun 2026
Validated
Checked as complete and ready for consideration.
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20 Jul 2026
Added to PlanIndex
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Decision
Awaiting decision
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development. Extensions of time are common.
What happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with County Durham for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About lawful development applications
How this application type works
A lawful development certificate is a legal determination, not a planning judgement. It asks the council to confirm either that existing use or works are lawful, often through the passage of time, or that a proposal would not need planning permission at all. The applicant must prove the facts; the merits of the scheme are not considered.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
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DM/26/01363/CEU Awaiting decision
57 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
The property has been continuously occupied as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) by 3 to 6 unrelated individuals who share basic communal amenities, falling within Planning Use Class C4. This C4 use was fully established prior to the implementation of the Durham City Article 4 Direction on 16 September 2016 and has been continuously maintained without interruption down to the present day. A Certificate of Lawfulness is therefore sought to confirm that the existing Class C4 use is lawful Certificate of lawfulness for
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DM/25/02398/NMA Awaiting decision
44 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
Non-material amendment pursuant to planning approval DM/23/00394/FPA comprising additional window to existing bathroom and garden room in matching fenestration
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DM/26/01734/TCA Awaiting decision
28 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
Silver Birch (T1) - felling and removal
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DM/25/02197/TCA Awaiting decision
6 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
T1 Laburnum - crown reduce by 1.5 metres to reduce weight on weak basal union. T2 Camellia - reduce by 0.5 metres, trim and reshape
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DM/25/02346/TCA Granted
4 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
T1. Magnolia - trimmed and shaped
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DM/25/02450/FPA Granted
7 Orchard Drive Durham DH1 1LA
Two storey front extension including alterations to roof, fenestration and application of render
Other lawful development applications
In County Durham
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DM/26/01728/CPO Awaiting decision
East Farm House 127 Manor Road Medomsley Consett DH8 6QL
Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed change of use from a children's care home to an adults' care home (Use Class C2) for up to four adults with special needs, including associated internal alterations.
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DM/26/01088/CPO Granted
16 Wackerfield Darlington DL2 3AP
Installation of roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and associated works
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DM/26/01703/CPO Awaiting decision
Aycliffe Village Primary School North Terrace Aycliffe Village Newton Aycliffe DL5 6LG
Instillation of timber playground equipment.
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DM/26/00515/CEU Refused
17 Generation Place Consett DH8 5XT
Use of dwellinghouse (C3) as a children's home for one child with two carers present at all times
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DM/26/01642/CEU Awaiting decision
17 Boyd Street Durham DH1 3DP
Certificate of lawfulness for use of the property as a House in Multiple Occupation (Use class C4).