Latest news with #DurhamCountyCouncil
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Burnhope solar farm developers lodge appeal against refusal
Developers who want to build a solar farm in the countryside have appealed against a decision to refuse the County Council's planning committee threw out an application for the 92-hectacre (227-acre) site near Burnhope in March, after previously approving the plans in a judicial review legal challenge by residents, the permission was quashed by the planning court in February 2024, ruling the scheme "unlawful".The future of the proposal will now be decided by the government after developers Lightsource bp appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. The developers resubmitted the application for the site last year following the High Court ruling and said landscaping had been improved to minimise visual impacts, according to Local Democracy Reporting to the plans, up to 14 fields near the County Durham village would be overlaid with panels, including areas near the Chapman's Well nature reserve. Councillors voted against the plans in March due to the size and scale of the proposed solar farm and the loss of the refusal was not unanimous, with some committee members claiming the development was essential to achieving County Durham's net zero the time, the council was run as a coalition between the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and Independents. It is now led by Reform said the proposed site was unsuitable for growing crops or keeping livestock and the scheme would produce renewable energy to help contribute to environmental have argued the 110,640 panels would dwarf Burnhope.A total of 603 objections and 68 letters of support were submitted since the proposal was first date has been set for the appeal decision. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Fashion Network
20 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Dalton Park Outlet boosts sustainability credentials with new on-site initiatives
The North East's Dalton Park Outlet shopping destination has bolstered its sustainability credentials with three travel-related initiatives to promote 'greener, low-impact living'. Partnering with Durham County Council as part of its Towns & Villages transformation programme, first off there's a new covered bike storage unit, which includes a repair station and space for 10 bikes and four cargo cycles. It also comes with an integrated Streetpod technology system, which claims the highest police rating for security, 'providing better quality, enhanced cycle storage'. It's part of a 'Green Travel Plan' to encourage visitors to travel to the centre 'in a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way'. The outlet has also secured funding for a solar-powered e-bike charger, which means Dalton Park will be the only e-bike charger in a retail destination along the NCN1 cycle route, the UK's first completely carbon-neutral active travel network. The centre's also installed two water bottle refill stations to encourage customers to use reusable water bottles while on-site, mitigating the need for single-use plastic that contributes to pollution and landfill waste. Dalton Park Outlet marketing manager Matt McWhinnie believes this initiative will 'attract more cycling tourists in an ever-growing bike tourism market and will help to increase dwell time at the centre as visitors take a moment to shop while they recharge their bikes'. Centre manager Richard Kaye added: 'There is always more to do but we strongly believe we're in a good place to drive this forward and continually look at ways we can make more of a positive impact on the local and wider community.'
Fashion Network
21 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Dalton Park Outlet boosts sustainability credentials with new on-site initiatives
The North East's Dalton Park Outlet shopping destination has bolstered its sustainability credentials with three travel-related initiatives to promote 'greener, low-impact living'. Partnering with Durham County Council as part of its Towns & Villages transformation programme, first off there's a new covered bike storage unit, which includes a repair station and space for 10 bikes and four cargo cycles. It also comes with an integrated Streetpod technology system, which claims the highest police rating for security, 'providing better quality, enhanced cycle storage'. It's part of a 'Green Travel Plan' to encourage visitors to travel to the centre 'in a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way'. The outlet has also secured funding for a solar-powered e-bike charger, which means Dalton Park will be the only e-bike charger in a retail destination along the NCN1 cycle route, the UK's first completely carbon-neutral active travel network. The centre's also installed two water bottle refill stations to encourage customers to use reusable water bottles while on-site, mitigating the need for single-use plastic that contributes to pollution and landfill waste. Dalton Park Outlet marketing manager Matt McWhinnie believes this initiative will 'attract more cycling tourists in an ever-growing bike tourism market and will help to increase dwell time at the centre as visitors take a moment to shop while they recharge their bikes'. Centre manager Richard Kaye added: 'There is always more to do but we strongly believe we're in a good place to drive this forward and continually look at ways we can make more of a positive impact on the local and wider community.'
Fashion Network
21 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Dalton Park Outlet boosts sustainability credentials with new on-site initiatives
The North East's Dalton Park Outlet shopping destination has bolstered its sustainability credentials with three travel-related initiatives to promote 'greener, low-impact living'. Partnering with Durham County Council as part of its Towns & Villages transformation programme, first off there's a new covered bike storage unit, which includes a repair station and space for 10 bikes and four cargo cycles. It also comes with an integrated Streetpod technology system, which claims the highest police rating for security, 'providing better quality, enhanced cycle storage'. It's part of a 'Green Travel Plan' to encourage visitors to travel to the centre 'in a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way'. The outlet has also secured funding for a solar-powered e-bike charger, which means Dalton Park will be the only e-bike charger in a retail destination along the NCN1 cycle route, the UK's first completely carbon-neutral active travel network. The centre's also installed two water bottle refill stations to encourage customers to use reusable water bottles while on-site, mitigating the need for single-use plastic that contributes to pollution and landfill waste. Dalton Park Outlet marketing manager Matt McWhinnie believes this initiative will 'attract more cycling tourists in an ever-growing bike tourism market and will help to increase dwell time at the centre as visitors take a moment to shop while they recharge their bikes'. Centre manager Richard Kaye added: 'There is always more to do but we strongly believe we're in a good place to drive this forward and continually look at ways we can make more of a positive impact on the local and wider community.'
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
John Torode cancels public appearance event at last minute after Masterchef axe
John Torode was set to step out at food festival next month but has now pulled out of the event amid his exit from the BBC. John Torode has withdrawn from the Seaham Food Festival, Durham County Council has confirmed. The former MasterChef host was set to be the star of the show at the council run event on August 2 and 3. Torode was expected to dazzle festival-goers in the cookery theatre with his culinary expertise but has now dropped out of the event. Despite his cancellation, Dean Edwards, Chris Baber, Nelly Ghaffar and other renowned chefs will still join over 120 traders in the seaside town for the weekend's festivities. A representative from Durham County Council said: "We appreciate this has been a difficult time for John and, as a result, he has decided to take some time out. He will, therefore, not be appearing at this year's Seaham Food Festival." The announcement comes after the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay's decision not to renew Torode's contract amid allegations of him using "highly offensive racist language" back in 2018. John has vehemently denied the claim, insisting that he does not remember such an incident occurring, the Mirror reports. The allegation surfaced during an independent probe conducted by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, which had previously substantiated 45 complaints against John's co-presenter Gregg Wallace, who was axed from MasterChef earlier this year. John took to Instagram on Tuesday to address rumours of his departure from MasterChef, claiming the BBC and Banijay had left him in the dark. The celebrity chef expressed his own confusion about the situation, writing: "Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. "The enquiry could not even state the date or year of when I am meant to have said something wrong." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Torode expressed disappointment at being axed from the show which he has been a part of since its 2005 relaunch and said that recent events seemed to have taken that choice away. The 59-year-old reflected on his time and future on the BBC show, saying: "I'd hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that. "Over the past few months, I have been considering my life and the shape of it now and in the future." Confirming his exit, he announced: "Celebrity MasterChef, which I recently filmed with Grace Dent along with two fantastic Christmas specials will be my last. "Personally, I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else." He encouraged whoever replaces him to cherish the role as much as he did and said he will continue to keep updated with the show while he focuses on new projects. Torode added: "For whoever takes over, love it as I have. I will watch fondly from afar as I now focus on the many other exciting projects that I have been working towards." Acknowledging the impact of his long tenure on the show, he joked about his stomach needing a break after two decades. He added: "My tummy will be grateful for a rest after 20 years of eating, but what a joy it has been. Life is everchanging and ever moving and sometimes personal happiness and fulfilment lay elsewhere. "Thank you for the many years of MasterChef. JOHN TORODE."
