Councillors turn reject plans for pro boxer Tommy Ward to build new family home due to green belt policy

A professional boxer has lost his bid to build a family home over council concerns it would clash with policies around the green belt.
Pro boxer Tommy Ward when he prepared for a 30-mile charity walk in PPEPro boxer Tommy Ward when he prepared for a 30-mile charity walk in PPE
Pro boxer Tommy Ward when he prepared for a 30-mile charity walk in PPE

Hartlepool-trained super-bantamweight Thomas Patrick Ward, known as Tommy, hoped to build a three-bedroom bungalow off Tiana Lane in the Rainton Gate area, near West Rainton.

The site lies on the edge of a group of houses along Pittington Road near the A690, close to the Sunderland/County Durham border, and has been owned by Mr Ward for several years.

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A planning application for the home was discussed by Durham County Council’s area planning committee, with planning officers recommending the bungalow for refusal, this week.

This was due to the site sitting within the green belt, with policies labelling the bungalow as an “inappropriate development.”

Councillors heard that Mr Ward and his family are currently living in a caravan, are settled in the area and want to remain part of the community.

Letters of support were also lodged from a local school, health visiting service and traveller organisations.

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During the meeting, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube, Sherburn division councillor, David Hall, spoke in support of the plans.

The councillor said the site sat next to larger houses built before the green belt designation, was in a sustainable location and did not encroach into the open countryside as it was naturally enclosed and screened.

Cllr Hall also noted Mr Ward’s work within the community, from charity fundraisers to mentoring young people through the local youth project.

He went on to say: “The young family simply wish to have a home in their local village on their own plot of land for their needs.

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“This application is a sensible development and a good use of underused land, formerly industrial but long since turned green and now perfect for a new home.

“There are no objections nor any real or physical harm to give any weight to.”

A statement from Mr Ward, included in a planning report, said the land was bought “with the understanding and vision of being [able] to create and build my perfect family home in a community that I have been born and raised in, and a village I call home.”

Mr Ward said he had consulted neighbouring homeowners who all supported the plans and would “much prefer a home built on the land instead [of] unused land that attracts young people hanging around causing anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.”

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The statement added: “I feel that my application does not have any detrimental effect to the countryside and is in keeping with the rest of the residential properties.”

But principal planning officer, Alan Dobie, said approving the plans would “undermine green belt principles” with the application failing to meet the “very special circumstances” needed to allow development in the green belt.

He added the personal circumstances of the family were “insufficient” to outweigh harm to the green belt.

During debate, councillors John Shuttleworth and David Brown launched a motion for the bungalow plan to be approved.

Cllr Brown said the land was “crying out for development,” while Cllr Shuttleworth said the plans would allow the family to stay in the area.

“The special circumstances for me would be it’s allowing local people to stay in the local area, for the kids to go to the local school and I think we have to support this,” Cllr Shuttleworth added.

While noting the “great work” the family does within the local community, councillor Paul Taylor stressed the application clashed with green belt policies.

“Everybody knows I will stick to planning rules, regulations and policies very strictly because that’s what we’re here to do,” he said.

“This is in the green belt but I’m torn, I just feel this family have maybe been given false hope somewhere.”

The motion to approve the plans was defeated by a vote with the original recommendation to refuse carried by a vote of 9-2.

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