Chief Planning Officer Stuart Timiss addressed the Aycliffe Business Park meeting last week at the Xcel Centre on the Durham County Plan, touching particularly on how it will affect Newton Aycliffe.
He talked about the number of new houses to be built and how the big development at Copelaw across the A167 will be linked with the town. He explained the reasoning behind the site being chosen for development – due mainly to its close proximity to the town centre and local schools.
He intimated that planners were adopting a more flexible approach and if someone wanted to run a small business from his back garden then it may not be opposed. He also said that to preserve a good mix of shops town centre planning would be regulated to stop a proliferation of Takeaways.
The MD of Stillers asked if there were plans to upgrade the roads on the Business Park which were in a poor condition. Mr. Timiss told him it was important for the Aycliffe Business group to make their views known to the County Council on subjects like this for any action to be taken.
The Aycliffe Business Park could become the biggest in the north taking over Team Valley. More land is being made available beyond Macdonalds near the motorway. He hinted that retailing would be allowed on the Business Park to satisfy the increased demand from Aycliffe residents as new homes and businesses were developed in the wake of Hitachi and others moving onto Aycliffe. Newton News has called for this for over 30 years and welcome the fact that planners now realise our town centre is not fit for purpose. This will be good news for town centre shopkeepers who would welcome some form of competition to the London landlords who are accused of extortionate rent and service charges.
The Steering Group announced plans for the new year including the next meeting on 31st January and a first anniversary Awards Dinner in February.
Before then a Social Night at Planet Leisure is planned with Bowling and food – “ A time for a bit of fun” said Chairperson Kerina Clarke.
