Have your say on masterplan for key Newton Aycliffe site

The Copelaw site is identified as a strategic housing site in our County Durham Plan and has been earmarked for around 1,430 new homes.

We have just started work to upgrade the nearby A167 to support the development of the site, using £7.1million we have secured from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund.

And we are now seeking people's views on a draft masterplan for the delivery of housing, a new primary school, and other facilities and services on the site.

'Carefully planned approach' to development

Cllr James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: "Copelaw is identified as a strategic housing site in our County Durham Plan and we are approaching its development in a carefully planned way.

"Upgrades to the nearby highways network have begun and we are working with the Church Commissioners as landowners to draw up a masterplan that will help guide future planning applications across the site.

"The draft masterplan proposes a layout for much-needed new housing, including affordable housing, housing for older people, and extra care provision, as well as a new primary school and local centre, which could have shops, cafes and hairdressers."

How you can have your say

The consultation runs until 4.30pm on Monday 13 May, and all comments will be considered before the masterplan is finalised, prior to us submitting an outline planning application this summer.

You can find out more about the masterplan and comment on it at a drop-in event being held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre from 2pm to 6pm on Wednesday 8 May.

Alternatively, you can register to join an online consultation session taking place at 5.30pm on Thursday 9 May or complete a consultation survey on our website.