County Durham Council

In brief

Durham County Council is a local authority administering all significant local government functions in the unitary authority area of County Durham in North East England. The council area covers part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, excluding those parts which now form part of the Borough of Darlington, Borough of Hartlepool and the part of Borough of Stockton-on-Tees north of the River Tees.

Between its establishment in 1889 and major local government reforms in England in 1974, the council administered the historic county of Durham

Following the 2021 Durham County Council election the council is under no overall control. A Conservative/Liberal Democrat/Independents coalition was formed at the 2021 Annual General Meeting.[3] From 1919 to 2021 the council was under the control of the Labour Party, who held a majority except from 1922 to 1925.

At the time of the 2011 census the council served a population of 513,200, which makes it one of the most-populous local authorities in England. It has its headquarters at County Hall in Durham.

What to expect

Housing Delivery Test

No consequence within the 2021 Housing Delivery Test.

Up-To-Date Local Plan

The County Durham Plan sets out a vision for housing, jobs and the environment until 2035, as well as the transport, schools and healthcare to support it.

Customer Service

Customer service at County Durham is acceptable.

Decision Making Behaviour

Decision making behaviour is good and in line with established practice.

Article 4 Directions

Conversion of dwelling houses to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Nitrate Effected Areas

Tees Valley

Last Decision’s

• Woodside Sleetburn Lane Langley Moor Durham DH7 8LQ – Prior approval for the demolition of existing redundant building and construction of a dwelling.
• Woodside Sleetburn Lane Langley Moor Durham DH7 8LQ – Certificate of Lawfulness for continued use in Class E (Light Industrial)