Questions asked about uncertain fate of controversial Teesdale airstrip

Countryside charity CPRE has called on Durham County Council to make a decision on the future of a controversial airstrip and agricultural buildings on Lartington High Moor in Teesdale.

The development in remote moorland several years ago was made without formal planning permission and after environmentalists publicised its construction, a retrospective planning application was applied for but no decision has yet to be made on whether it should be removed.

And now CPRE, formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England is concerned that if the situation is allowed to drift, then a development, which even its own officials concluded has caused: ‘substantial harm to the local landscape’, might be allowed to stay by default.

Richard Cowen, chair of CPRE North East, said: “We first drew attention to the building in February 2021 at which point it had already been erected and tracks put in place for an airstrip to land light planes on.

“An application to retain the building was made later in 2021 and a number of objections were received to it but the application remains undecided.

“Our original letter to the council is now over two years old but no decision has yet been made and we are concerned that if permission is refused and the decision made that it should be removed, such action may become time-barred.”

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the council cannot take enforcement action if four years have elapsed from the time of the original substantial development.

And the Lartington Moor development is now in its third year of standing on Lartington High Moor, having already caused environmental harm in the view of Durham County Council officers.

In a report into the 200sq m building and landing strip, developed by landowner Peter Harle, the planning officials said: “The proposal fails to conserve and enhance the natural beauty or protect the wildness, tranquillity and ‘naturalness’ of the moorland landscape.

“The development has introduced a conspicuous manmade modern structure into attractive, remote moorland, which is largely devoid of manmade structures.

“This is exacerbated by the building’s scale and design, which appears inappropriately industrial – the effect at site level and wider surrounds has been transformative.

“It is unlikely that the harm of the building or harm to experiential factors such as scenic beauty, tranquillity and to the remoteness and wildness qualities that are fundamental to this unspoilt and designated landscape could be reduced through design changes or additional mitigation.” 

The project has worried conservationists as the site lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and close to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Cotherstone Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

CPRE believes the buildings and airstrip should be removed and intends to push for dismantlement even if the clock runs down but wants to avoid the time and cost of that happening.

Mr Cowen pointed out: “Some high-profile decisions have been made by planning authorities in other areas to serve enforcement action which has subsequently been endorsed on appeal. 

“This includes the decision to enforce against the hotel in Cornwall that hosted the G7 Conference and insist it be taken down.

“Although we are unsure of the precise date when enforcement action is not possible against the airstrip and adjoining building, we call for consideration t be given to this now and have asked the council when it proposes to determine this application so it is not thwarted by being time-barred if a decision is taken for removal.”

Stephen Reed, planning development officer for Durham County Council said: “We are aware of the relevant enforcement timetables applicable to this case.

“Following the submission of additional information and the receipt of consultation responses, we intend to determine the planning application shortly.”