DOCSLIB.ORG

Committee Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Committee Report Planning Services COMMITTEE REPORT APPLICATION DETAILS APPLICATION NO: 1/2010/0348 Residential Development to provide five dwellings FULL APPLICATION DESCRIPTION : (Resubmission) NAME OF APPLICANT : Mr T McGiven Land to the north of 8-10 Watergate Road ADDRESS : Castleside County Durham ELECTORAL DIVISION : Lanchester Steve France Senior Planning Officer CASE OFFICER : Telephone: 0191 3872263 [email protected] DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND PROPOSALS The Site 1. The application site comprises a privately owned unmaintained triangle of rough grassland to the rear (southwest) of Castleside Working Mens Club (WMC). The Club faces onto Rowley Bank, the main A68, as it passes through Castleside. The Club consists at the front of a traditional single storey stone built element, with slate roof, attached to a two-storey dwelling of similar construction. The rear part of the club is a high single storey flat-roofed, brick built building encompassing the main function rooms. Large windows take advantage of the expansive views of the countryside to the south-west. 2. The application site is accessed from the main road through the Club car park, which runs alongside and to the rear of behind the building – the car park extending around 18m from the rear of the main single storey element. Existing private garages are accessed from the club car-park at either end. The application site, triangular in shape, is otherwise enclosed on it’s three sides by residential properties, which back onto the site. The site, approximately 0.7 acres in area, falls steeply from the car-park north-east to an apex at the south-west. There is a small gap between the residential properties on the southern boundary of the site, where an electrical sub-station within a small compound is sited. Boundaries consist of a post and rail fence towards the north east of the site, a mixture of fencing and hedging forming the boundary with properties to the south and a low stone wall forming the boundary with properties on Church Street. 3. To the south of the site are the rear gardens of mainly two storey detached brick properties facing onto Watergate Road, these including a two-storey dwelling with a garage beneath taking advantage of the topography, and a bungalow with a similar parking arrangement. The dwellings in Watergate Road are a mix of post- war buildings. These modern properties extend around the corner onto Church Street. To the west of the site are the 1 ½ - 2 storey small, traditional stone terraced properties fronting Church Street. The gardens of these properties are an extension of the lower slopes below the site, with the rear accesses into the dwellings cut into the slope, the gardens therefore at a higher level, terraced by retaining walls. A larger two storey property is sited at the north-west corner of the site, with rendered and stone terraced properties facing the A68 on Rowley Bank, below the club. In between these properties and the site are the aforementioned detached garages, accessed through the club car park. With a similar arrangement to the east of the site behind semi-detached properties located on Watergate Road, at the edge of the club car park. 4. The site is visible in long distance views of Castleside from Healeyfield, to the south-west, but short distance views are restricted in aspect to those properties surrounding the land. The Proposal 5. Detailed planning permission is sought for the erection of five bungalows, consisting of three 2-bed units and 2 one-bed units in order to provide retirement homes. The site would be accessed through the existing club car park into a small courtyard parking area of eight parking spaces. The dwellings would be laid around this, one detached dwelling on each side of the entrance with a row of three terraced dwellings sloping down the site, in a westerly direction. There would be good sized gardens provided around the dwellings. A 1.2m high stonewall would be erected to the sites northeast boundary with the club car park. Boundaries between properties would consist of landscaping, with the existing timber fences and stonewalls to be retained. Landscaping would be placed around the site, adjacent the car parking area as well as within front and rear gardens as appropriate. Revised details show that landscaping has been removed from the site boundary adjacent Church Street to prevent loss of light. 6. The dwellings would be constructed in materials appropriate to the traditional local vernacular. Painted timber sash windows, sandstone water tables, chimneys and quoins are design features of the dwellings. There would be four solar panels to the rear roof slope of the dwellings. The terraced dwellings would have gable-ended roofs apart from the end-terraced property closest to existing properties on Church Street which would have a hipped roof. This would measure 7.5m at ridge and 3.5m at eaves. The group of properties would measure 29m in length and 8.6m in width. The two detached dwellings would measure 9m and 10m in length and 12.6m and 8.8m in width. The height of plot 5 to the north of the site is 4m at eaves and 8m at ridge. 7. The previously proposed installation of a pumping/storage tank station to the northwest of the site which would allow both surface water and foul water to be taken up to the main combined sewer on Rowley Bank has been replaced with a system to take all foul and surface drainage off site through a gravity fed system in the gap between properties on Watergate Road. 8. This application was originally reported to planning committee due to the principle of development on this site having been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate at an appeal in 2009, and is reported again following a deferral of the decision in October 2010. The decision was deferred for more detailed information on drainage issues, and further consideration of the effect on residential amenity. PLANNING HISTORY 9. An outline planning application for ten houses was refused in 2004. 10. A planning application for the erection of three three-storey dwellings was refused in March 2009 and dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2009 on the grounds that the site is greenfield which if developed ahead of available previously developed land would represent a less than sustainable form of development. This was deemed to be contrary to the sequential approach required by PPS1 and PPS3. The Inspector also concluded that the three storey scheme would cause serious harm to the living conditions of the residents of Church Street in respect of dominating overlooking of rear bedrooms and gardens, having an unpleasantly overbearing and dominating visual impact upon their residents contrary to policies HO5 and GDP1 of the Local Plan. 11. A planning application for five dwellings was withdrawn in June 2010 PLANNING POLICY NATIONAL POLICY : 12. In March 2012 the Government consolidated all planning policy statements, circulars and guidance into a single policy statement, termed the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The overriding message from the Framework is that planning authorities should plan positively for new development, and approve all individual proposals wherever possible. It defines the role of planning in achieving sustainable development under three topic headings – economic, social and environmental, each mutually dependant. There is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. It requires local planning authorities to approach development management decisions positively, utilising twelve ‘core principles’ that should underpin both plan-making and decision taking, these being; empowering local people to shape their surroundings, proactively drive and support economic development, ensure a high standard of design, respect existing roles and character, support a low carbon future, conserve the natural environment, encourage re-use of previously developed land, promote mixed use developments, conserve heritage assets, manage future patterns of growth and take account of and support local strategies relating to health, social and cultural well-being. NPPF Part 4 – Promoting Sustainable Transport. Notes the importance of transport policies in facilitating sustainable development and contributing to wider sustainability and health issues. Local parking standards should take account of the accessibility of the development, its type, mix and use, the availability of public transport, levels of local car ownership and the need to reduce the use of high- emission vehicles. NPPF Part 6 – Delivering a wide choice of high quality homes. Housing applications should be considered in the context of a presumption in favour of sustainable development. Local Planning Authorities should seek to deliver a wide choice of high quality homes, widen opportunities for home ownership and create inclusive and mixed communities. Policies should be put in place to resist the inappropriate development of residential of residential gardens where development would cause harm to the local area. NPPF Part 7 – Requiring Good Design. The Government attaches great importance to the design of the built environment, with good design a key aspect of sustainable development, indivisible from good planning. Planning policies and decisions must aim to ensure developments; function well and add to the overall quality of an area over the lifetime of the development, establish a strong sense of place, create and sustain an appropriate mix of uses, respond to local character and history, create safe and accessible environments and be visually attractive. NPPF Part 8 – Promoting Healthy Communities. The planning system is considered to play an important role in facilitating social interaction and creating healthy, inclusive communities. Planning decisions should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, ensuring that existing facilities are able to develop and modernize in a way that is sustainable, and retained for the benefit of the community.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Our Economy 2020 with Insights Into How Our Economy Varies Across Geographies OUR ECONOMY 2020 OUR ECONOMY 2020
    Our Economy 2020 With insights into how our economy varies across geographies OUR ECONOMY 2020 OUR ECONOMY 2020 2 3 Contents Welcome and overview Welcome from Andrew Hodgson, Chair, North East LEP 04 Overview from Victoria Sutherland, Senior Economist, North East LEP 05 Section 1 Introduction and overall performance of the North East economy 06 Introduction 08 Overall performance of the North East economy 10 Section 2 Update on the Strategic Economic Plan targets 12 Section 3 Strategic Economic Plan programmes of delivery: data and next steps 16 Business growth 18 Innovation 26 Skills, employment, inclusion and progression 32 Transport connectivity 42 Our Economy 2020 Investment and infrastructure 46 Section 4 How our economy varies across geographies 50 Introduction 52 Statistical geographies 52 Where do people in the North East live? 52 Population structure within the North East 54 Characteristics of the North East population 56 Participation in the labour market within the North East 57 Employment within the North East 58 Travel to work patterns within the North East 65 Income within the North East 66 Businesses within the North East 67 International trade by North East-based businesses 68 Economic output within the North East 69 Productivity within the North East 69 OUR ECONOMY 2020 OUR ECONOMY 2020 4 5 Welcome from An overview from Andrew Hodgson, Chair, Victoria Sutherland, Senior Economist, North East Local Enterprise Partnership North East Local Enterprise Partnership I am proud that the North East LEP has a sustained when there is significant debate about levelling I am pleased to be able to share the third annual Our Economy report.
    [Show full text]
  • Directory Derwentside
    DERWENTSIDE Business 06 07 & / Community DIRECTORY Background Information con t en t s Premise, by Right Honorable Hilary Armstrong 3 Derwentside the District 5 “If we do what Introduction, by LSP Chair, Alex Watson 7 we’ve always Business & Economy done then we’ll A great place for business 9 only get what Derwentside economic profile 11 we’ve always Business support and partnerships 3 got” Flagship projects (Emerge, Beacon, Agility, Enterprise Place) 15 Tom Baker Your business matters 17 Education Lifelong Learning and education 19 Community Safety Safety in the community 19 E d it or Miles Crofton In the Best of Health 0191 586 6010 [email protected] Healthy living for a healthy lifestyle 19 Exxecu t ivve Eddit oor Housing & Environment Sarah J Lee An environment for success 19 [email protected] Childcare counts 19 Ed it oria l Paul Seales You and your Council 19 [email protected] Transport and communication 19 A dv ertisin g & Sponsorship Time out with tourism, leisure and shopping 19 Andrew White 0191 5866 040 Miscellaneous Case Studies 19 Bank Holidays 19 Derwentside Business & Community Directory is published by informnorth creative services, Calendar 2006 19 a County Durham based community interest company. We have taken all reasonable care to Conversions 19 ensure that material is accurate at the time of going to press, but accept no responsibility for Dialling Codes 19 errors or omissions and no liability is accepted for omission or failure from any cause. Travelling distances to UK centres 19 The publisher has welcomed contributions in production of this directory, all opinions UK& Ireland airports list 19 expressed are those of individual contributors and not necessarily our own.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamsterley Forest 1 Weardalefc Picture Visitor Library Network / John Mcfarlane Welcome to Weardale
    Welcome to Weardale Things to do and places to go in Weardale and the surrounding area. Please leave this browser complete for other visitors. Image : Hamsterley Forest www.discoverweardale.com 1 WeardaleFC Picture Visitor Library Network / John McFarlane Welcome to Weardale This bedroom browser has been compiled by the Weardale Visitor Network. We hope that you will enjoy your stay in Weardale and return very soon. The information contained within this browser is intended as a guide only and while every care has been taken to ensure its accuracy readers will understand that details are subject to change. Telephone numbers, for checking details, are provided where appropriate. Acknowledgements: Design: David Heatherington Image: Stanhope Common courtesy of Visit England/Visit County Durham www.discoverweardale.com 2 Weardale Visitor Network To Hexham Derwent Reservoir To Newcastle and Allendale Carlisle A69 B6295 Abbey Consett River Blanchland West Muggleswick A 692 Allen Edmundbyers Hunstanworth A 691 River Castleside East Allen North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Lanchester A 68 B6278 C2C C2C Allenheads B6296 Heritage C2C Centre Hall Hill B6301 Nenthead Farm C2C Rookhope A 689 Lanehead To Alston Tunstall Penrith Cowshill Reservoir M6 Killhope Lead Mining The Durham Dales Centre Museum Wearhead Stanhope Eastgate 3 Ireshopeburn Westgate Tow Law Burnhope B6297 Reservoir Wolsingham B6299 Weardale C2C Frosterley N Museum & St John’s Chapel Farm High House Trail Chapel Weardale Railway Crook A 689 Weardale A 690 Ski Club Weardale
    [Show full text]
  • Popular Political Oratory and Itinerant Lecturing in Yorkshire and the North East in the Age of Chartism, 1837-60 Janette Lisa M
    Popular political oratory and itinerant lecturing in Yorkshire and the North East in the age of Chartism, 1837-60 Janette Lisa Martin This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of York Department of History January 2010 ABSTRACT Itinerant lecturers declaiming upon free trade, Chartism, temperance, or anti- slavery could be heard in market places and halls across the country during the years 1837- 60. The power of the spoken word was such that all major pressure groups employed lecturers and sent them on extensive tours. Print historians tend to overplay the importance of newspapers and tracts in disseminating political ideas and forming public opinion. This thesis demonstrates the importance of older, traditional forms of communication. Inert printed pages were no match for charismatic oratory. Combining personal magnetism, drama and immediacy, the itinerant lecturer was the most effective medium through which to reach those with limited access to books, newspapers or national political culture. Orators crucially united their dispersed audiences in national struggles for reform, fomenting discussion and coalescing political opinion, while railways, the telegraph and expanding press reportage allowed speakers and their arguments to circulate rapidly. Understanding of political oratory and public meetings has been skewed by over- emphasis upon the hustings and high-profile politicians. This has generated two misconceptions: that political meetings were generally rowdy and that a golden age of political oratory was secured only through Gladstone’s legendary stumping tours. However, this thesis argues that, far from being disorderly, public meetings were carefully regulated and controlled offering disenfranchised males a genuine democratic space for political discussion.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethnicity in the North East an Overview
    EthnicityNORTH EAST Ethnicity in the North East an overview NORTH EAST ASSEMBLY THE VOICE FOR THE REGION Ethnicity in the Acknowledgements North East I would like to acknowledge the help and guidance received from everyone I have contacted while compiling this guidance. I am particularly indebted to the staff of the Home Office Drugs Prevention Advisory Service, particularly Robert Martin Government Office for the North East and Deborah Burns and Karen Kirkbride, for their continuous support, advice and encouragement. Veena Soni Diversity Advisor Drugs Prevention Advisory Service 1 Ethnicity in the Foreword by Angela Eagle North East The Home Office has committed itself to promoting race equality, particularly in the provision of public services such as education, health, law and order, housing and local government; and achieve representative workforces in its services areas. We are also working hard to promote cohesive communities and deal with the issues that cause segregation in communities. One of the Home OfficeÕs seven main aims is to support strong and active communities in which people of all races and backgrounds are valued and participate on equal terms by developing social policy to build a fair, prosperous and cohesive society in which everyone has a stake. To work with other departments and local government agencies and community groups to regenerate neighbourhoods, to support families; to develop the potential of every individual; to build the confidence and capacity of the whole community to be part of the solution; and to promote good race and community relations, combating prejudice and xenophobia. To promote equal opportunities both within the Home Office and more widely and to ensure that active citizenship contributes to the enhancement of democracy and the development of civil society.
    [Show full text]
  • DM-18-01498-FPA Drover Rd, Castleside
    Planning Services COMMITTEE REPORT APPLICATION DETAILS APPLICATION NO: DM/18/01498/OUT Outline application for the construction of up to 31 FULL APPLICATION residential dwellings and associated works with all DESCRIPTION: matters reserved except for access NAME OF APPLICANT: Northumbrian Water Limited Land to the East of the Junction of Belle View Drive and Drover Road ADDRESS: Castleside ELECTORAL DIVISION: Lanchester Steve France Senior Planning Officer CASE OFFICER: Telephone: 03000 264871 [email protected] DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND PROPOSALS The Site 1. The application site is 1.77ha of land in Castleside, a village formed around the junction of the A692 and A68, 2.2 miles south-west of the town of Consett. Nine bus stops in the village connect it with Consett, Durham, Stanley, Wolsingham and Lanchester. 2. The site is part of a wider area of land the wraps around a covered reservoir. This is surrounded by the village on three sides, with the land to the south open countryside, which includes Ancient Woodland on the boundary. The site is a triangular area of land that slopes steeply from this countryside north to the reservoir and further towards the stone built Victorian terracing that fronts the A692. Consisting of semi- improved grassland used for grazing, the only structure on the land is a small electricity sub-station in a brick enclosure built into the stone wall boundary with Drover Road. 3. The surrounding village is a mix of architectural styles and materials, with Victorian stone terracing, modern estates and 1960’s two storey, dormer and bungalow developments all apparent.
    [Show full text]
  • Mineral Resources Map for Durham and the Tees Valley
    57 60 70 80 90 4 00 000 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 92 76 76 Vein minerals 70 80 90 400 10 Coal Coalbed methane 400 450 Methane contained within coal seams is known as coalbed methane. 19 20 21 The area contains a major part of the Northern Pennine Orefield, which has had a TS Coal-bearing strata are principally confined to the Coal Measures of However, the gas content of the coal seams of the Durham coalfield long history of metal mining, notably for lead (galena - PbS), with associated STUBLICK FAUL Upper Coal 60 60 the Durham Coalfield. The exposed coalfield occupies a broad Measures and also in outlying areas of coal-bearing strata to the west, are too ENVIRONMENT by-product silver. Zinc (sphalerite - ZnS) has also been mined locally. In the post-War TRANSPORT outcrop from Consett towards the coast. East of a line through Cambriense Marine Band low to be of interest for the production of coalbed methane. period the orefield has principally been a source of fluorspar (CaF2 ), unlikely tp be R EGIONS Ferryhill and Boldon and extending offshore, coal-bearing strata dip 5 5 resumed in the forseeable future. Barium minerals (baryte -BaSO and witherite - 50 50 4 beneath overlying Permian rocks to form the concealed coalfield. Principal Coal Hydrocarbons BaCO3 ) have also been produced locally and baryte continues to be produced from Resource the Closehouse openpit in Lunedale. During the final years of deep mining, coal extraction was 15 exploration wells have been drilled in the area, 13 of which were Hebburn Fell 25 26 27 concentrated at a number of amalgamated coastal collieries in which Subsidiary Coal located on an anticline near Redcar.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 9 No. 4 the JOURNAL of the NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM
    THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Vol. 9 No. 4 Winter, 1984 CONTENTS Editorial .. ....... .......... ............................................................................................ ............... 78 News in Brief . ...................................................................................................................... 78 Future Programme . ................................................................................................................ 79 Letters to the Editor . .............................................................................................................. 80 Genealogical Research Directory ............................................................................................... 82 Durham County Record Office ..................................................,.„,...........,.„„„,..... June Watson 83 Joseph Race of Weardale .......................................................................................... Steve Race 84 A Fourth Red Herring ....................................................,.......„„.„..........„„, Kenneth Henderson 85 The Surname of Mewburn .................................................,...........„„„„,.„. R. Desmond Williams 86 Weardale Emigrants .......................................................................................... A. Miller Peart 87 Of Students and Things ............................................................................................... `Hermit' 88 Peggy Pit Disaster ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wesley Gardens, Castleside, Consett, DH8 9QE Asking Price: £129,950
    Wesley Gardens, Castleside, Consett, DH8 9QE IDEAL FAMILY HOME | GARDENS TO FRONT AND REAR | SEPARATE DINING ROOM | SHOWER ROOM WITH DOUBLE SHOWER | COUNCIL TAX BAND B | EPC RATING C | Asking Price: £129,950 Wesley Gardens, Castleside, Consett, DH8 LOUNGE 9QE 4.0m (13' 1") x 3.9m (12' 10") UPVC bay window to front, radiator, wallpapered We welcome to the market this three bedroomed neutral walls, one with feature wallpaper, neutral semi detached property in the popular village of carpet to floor, power points throughout, open plan Castleside which benefits from having a separate into dining room. Dining Room, off road parking and gardens to both front and rear. This ideal family home briefly comprises of entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and utility area to the ground floor. To the first floor are two double bedrooms, one with fitted wardrobes, one single bedroom, shower room with a double shower and a separate WC. LOCATION This property is located in the sought after village of Castleside just off the A68 and to the south west of Consett, where there is an abundance of facilities associated with a town such as retail units, doctors surgeries, theatre, cinema and other recreational outlets. With easy access to the major commuter links to Northumberland and Darlington as well as Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland. The village DINING ROOM has additional facilities close to hand such as pubs 4.0m (13' 1") x 3.5m (11' 6") and churches. UPVC bay window to rear, radiator, feature wallpaper to walls, carpet to floor, power points DIRECTIONS throughout.
    [Show full text]
  • Directory to Gentlemen's Seats, Villages, &C. in Scotland
    A. /&a k National Library of Scotland 'B0001 65052* J. DV- (\CN4/ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from National Library of Scotland http://www.archive.org/details/directorytogentl1843dire I I Inarmed ':'/ WSZium VILLAGES. &C. IN SCOTLAND. > JO GENTLEMEN'S SEATS, ; DIRECTORY TO GENTLEMEN'S SEATS, VILLAGES, &c. IN SCOTLAND: GIVING THE COUNTIES IN WHICH THEY ARE SITUATED—THE POST-TOWNS TO WHICH EACH IS ATTACHED—AND THE NAME OF THE RESIDENT. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A TABLE SHOWING THE DESPATCH AND ARRIVAL OF THE MAILS AT THE HEAD AND SUB-OFFICES THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND ; ALSO, EVERT INFORMATION RESFECTING THE TRANSMISSION QF LETTERS TO ALL FOREIGN PARTS. ' A NEW MAP OE SCOTLAND, ENGRAVED ON STEEL, EXPRESSLY FOR THE WORK, BY LIZARS. COLLECTED AND ARRANGED BY JAMES FIND LAY, INSPECTOR OF LETTER-CARRIERS, GENERAL POST-OFFICE. EDINBURGH : W. P. KENNEDY, 15, ST ANDREW STREET. GLASGOW, W. BLACKWOOD ; AYR, D. GUTHRIE ; DUNDEE, W. MIDDLETON PERTH, J. DEWAR; MONTROSE, J. W. LAIRD; ABERDEEN, C. PANTON; INVERNESS, L. SMITH. PREFACE. In presenting to their Subscribers and the Public " A Directory to Gentlemen's Seats, Villages, &c. in Scotland," the Publishers trust that their endeavour to make it worthy of public patronage has been effected ; and while they regret the long delay that has occurred, and which has been unavoidable, in order to secure accuracy, they hope that this, the first attempt to supply what has long been wanting, will be duly appreciated by the Nobility, Landed Proprietors, Bankers, Merchants, Men of Business, &c. &c., to all of whom it must be indispensable, as it will afford the utmost facility for the transmission of correspondence throughout Scotland, and at the same time be of unspeakable benefit for all mercantile purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • City Regions and Rural Areas in the North East of England Full Report
    City Regions and Rural Areas in the North East of England Full Report Jane Midgley Neil Ward Jane Atterton Centre for Rural Economy Research Report May 2005 CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 2 1. Introduction: The Context for the Study 14 Cities, City Regions and the Northern Way 14 Rural-Urban Interdependencies 16 The North East and its City Regions 17 2. City Regions and Rural Areas: The Evidence Base 24 2.1 People and Jobs 24 2.2 Commuting Patterns 41 2.3 Leisure and Retailing 61 2.4 Tourism 66 3. Evaluation & Analysis 80 4. Conclusions & Recommendations 83 Bibliography 87 Appendices Appendix I Area Definitions for ‘People and Jobs’ Analysis Appendix II Area Definitions for the Commuting Analysis Appendix III The Northern Way and the Rural North: The Next Steps 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction: The Context for the Study • This study has been commissioned by One North East, the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the North East of England. It examines the relationship between city regions and rural areas. In particular, the study examines the links between two city regions in the North East region (Tyne & Wear and Tees Valley) and the rural areas within and surrounding them. It identifies the types of linkages and available data sources to quantify the scale of flows. It comments on the current economic significance of such linkages and suggests ways in which their beneficial effects might be enhanced. • There has been growing interest in the concept of city regions amongst UK urban and regional development specialists in recent years. Academic researchers have long been interested in developing functionally-based definitions of different geographical areas, such as ‘functional urban regions’, ‘daily urban systems’ and ‘local labour market areas’.
    [Show full text]
  • The Way of Light Durham to Heavenfield
    1 From Durham to Heavenfield Introduction This guide describes the pilgrimage route between the shrine of St Cuthbert at Durham Cathedral and Heavenfield. All the Northern Saints Trails use the same waymark shown on the left. The total distance is 72 kilometres or 45 miles. The route is divided into five sections of between 8 to 18 kilometres in distance. The route was originally described from Heavenfield to Durham, so walking in this direction you will follow the sections in reverse order. There is no public transport close to places on the 18 kilometre section between Blanchland and Hexham. Points of interest are described in red. This route has particular associations with three of the northern saints. Durham Cathedral is dedicated to St Cuthbert and there is a story about St Cuthbert from Lanchester and a pile of stones bearing his name on the moors between Edmundbyers and Blanchland. Hexham is strongly associated with St Wilfrid and the route ends at Heavenfield which is a sacred site associated with St Oswald. Heavenfield is also the start or the finish of St Oswald’s Way between Heavenfield and Lindisfarne. For the dedicated walker, combining The Way of Light with St Oswald’s Way provides a 142 mile route between the Durham and Lindisfarne - the two most important pilgrimage sites in the region. There are a number of reasons why the name Way of Light has been chosen for this route. The Way of Light is characterised by spaciousness and wide expansive views across the moors and hills you cross on your way to Heavenfield.
    [Show full text]