A City with a sustainable future

Vision (2021)

Durham City will have developments that meet and balance current needs without limiting or compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. All new development will contribute to a long-term sustainable future for Durham City by ensuring a balanced relationship among environmental, social and economic outcomes.

Relevant policies

• National Planning Policy Framework — the current version is dated July 2021, but a revised version is imminent. Sections 14 Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change and 15 Conserving and enhancing the natural environment are particularly relevant.
•  County Durham Plan (adopted 2020) (PDF, 10.0mb) see in particular Objectives 16 to 19, and Policies 29, 33, 34 and 35.
• City of Durham Neighbourhood Plan Policy S1 and Policy S2.

Relevant statements

• Durham County Council has declared a climate emergency and its Climate Emergency Response Plan may be downloaded from that link (5MB PDF).
• The Parish Council has also declared a climate emergency.

Further information

Of the 8,810 residential dwellings in the Parish, 4,804 have an Energy Performance Certificate. No dwelling has an A rating (the highest). 20 are rated G (the lowest) and 130 are rated F. From 2026 all new tenancies including student lets will need to have a C rating or better. Currently there are more than 1,000 properties that will need uprating. More details on this page.