Labour councillors have approved the unacceptable extension of working hours at Framwellgate Waterside.

A planning application had been submitted to extend the working hours to 7am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 6pm on a Saturday.

For a site which has already generated a huge number of complaints about noise, dirt and inconvenience, this is a 30% extension of working hours.

Local Lib Dem Cllr David Freeman spoke to the committee saying this was not fair or reasonable for the 300-plus residents within 100 metres of the site.

Cllr David Freeman also made the crucial point that the works on the site have been going on throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, so this could not be used as an excuse for catching up. Many local residents and the Radisson Blue hotel had complained about the plans.

Cllr Freeman told the planning committee that these working hours would not be acceptable to councillors in their own areas. Durham City residents should equally be protected.

Unfortunately every Labour councillor voted to extend the working hours and the application was passed 9 to 3.

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