2 days ago
County Durham home salon approved despite neighbour concerns
A Chester-le-Street woman has been granted permission to run a hair salon from her home.
Joanne Proctor, of 32 Coquet Drive, Perkinsville, applied to convert a self-contained bedroom into a part-time hair salon.
The extension, which has its own front door, kitchen, toilet, and garden access, was initially given planning permission in April 2024 and is already built.
Durham County Council made the decision on August 12, despite receiving three objections, including two from neighbouring properties.
Concerns raised by objectors included noise, potential anti-social behaviour, parking issues, and a "loss of privacy" due to the side door being used by clients.
One neighbour at 33 Coquet Drive expressed worries over "noise and disturbance from equipment, conversations, music, and comings and goings including from additional vehicular movements" and "loss of privacy due to clients using a side door that is next to their property."
To address these concerns, the council has imposed several conditions on the salon's operation.
These include serving only one customer at a time, by appointment only, with a 10-minute gap between appointments.
Additionally, windows and doors must remain closed during treatments.
The salon's opening hours are restricted to Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 10am to 4pm, and alternate Saturdays 9am to 4pm.
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The salon can only be operated by Ms Proctor and her daughter, and must revert to residential use once they vacate the property.
The salon will use the standard Durham County Council bins for both general and recyclable waste.
Highways Authority and Environmental Health (Nuisance Action Team) raised no objections to the plans.
