Reform UK Bishop Auckland

27/06/2026

26/06/2026

25/06/2026

Net Stupid Zero strikes again!

25/06/2026

Two bins sorted in one day! Great to see Cllr James Stephenson once again rolling up his sleeves and helping the community. Every little bit makes a difference! Vote Reform Get Reform!

25/06/2026

24/06/2026

We can’t ban HMOs. But we can be strict. Give residents the right to object. No more pop-up HMOs. Vote Reform. Get Reform.

You may remember that we agreed to increase our coverage of Article 4 Directions for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) beyond Durham City to cover the whole county.

Coming into force in August, the move means that planning permission will be required to change any house into an HMO.

Now, an interim planning policy could soon be implemented to:
▪️ Prevent an overconcentration of HMOs across the county.
▪️ Ensure there is clear guidance when determining HMO applications.
▪️ Protect living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.
▪️ Ensure HMOs provide a high standard of accommodation for those living in them.
It follows a consultation with residents and local organisations which showed support for the new policy and greater controls over HMO developments.

The interim policy states that further HMO applications will not be approved if:
🏠 Any of the ten nearest properties to the application site are already HMOs.
🏠 It results in the ‘sandwiching’ of a residential property between either two HMO properties or an HMO and a property that is not a home.
🏠 HMOs would make up more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 100-metre radius of the application site.

24/06/2026

With 11,000 people waiting for housing in County Durham, you’d think Labour MPs would be fighting for local families.

Instead, their priorities seem elsewhere. Plenty of promises, plenty of excuses, but little action where it’s needed most. This lot couldn’t lie straight in bed!

24/06/2026

How Andy Burnham described Theresa May…