- Planning authority
- Durham County Council
- Postcodes
- DH8
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 35°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 7.1 m
- Planning plan
- Local Plan
- County
- County Durham
The local picture in Consett
Bungalow plots in DH8, as anywhere, come in many shapes: some are long and narrow, some wide and shallow, some on corners or bends. That is why we measure your plot on the ground rather than working from averages or maps alone.
The policies in the council’s Local Plan set the tests Durham County Council applies to new homes on garden land. Its design guidance usually adds detail on spacing, building lines and roof heights, and those details matter a great deal on a single-storey road where one tall roof stands out.
From first call to decision
After a free appraisal, we set out what could realistically fit on your Consett plot: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You choose the route that suits you, whether that’s selling, partnering or having us build, and only then do we start on drawings and planning work. Nothing is spent on design until you’ve decided.
Free plot appraisal
We look at the plot’s width and depth, the access, the planning history nearby and the character of the street, then talk through what you want. It’s free, with no obligation, and a site visit follows if it looks viable.
Compare the options
We sketch what could realistically fit: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You see the trade-offs for each, including what happens to your own garden and parking, before choosing a route.
Planning application
We prepare drawings and reports designed around single-storey neighbours and the street scene, usually seek pre-application advice, and submit. The council consults neighbours and makes the decision.
Sale or build
If you sell, your solicitor handles the transfer and any lender release. If we build, you receive a written quote after design and survey, and the new home is built and handed over to you.
Worth checking early
- Covenants on older estates can limit building, and resolving one takes time and may cost money.
- Replacing the bungalow means moving out during demolition and building, which suits some owners and not others.
- Filling the gap beside a bungalow can change the look of the street, which councils weigh carefully.
Your questions, answered for Consett
How much garden does a bungalow in Consett need to keep?
There’s no single figure. Councils look for enough private garden for both the existing home and the new one, and many have guidance on minimum garden sizes. We check your council’s guidance during the appraisal.
Could I build a home for a relative on my bungalow plot in Consett?
Yes, through our design and build route. You keep the land, and we design, get planning for and build the new home. A separate home needs planning permission; an annexe used as part of the main house is treated differently.
How long does planning for a bungalow plot in Consett usually take?
It varies. Surveys and design often take a few weeks to a few months, then the council needs time to decide. Pre-application advice, extra reports or design changes can add time. We give you a realistic idea after the appraisal.
Will neighbours in Consett be able to object to a new home next to my bungalow?
They can comment on the planning application, and Durham County Council takes their views into account. They don’t have a veto. Designs that avoid overlooking and shadow usually draw fewer and weaker objections.
Other options in Consett
- Planning promotion for your garden plot
- Large rear gardens
- Combine gardens with your neighbours
- Joint venture on your garden plot
- Garage courts and yards
- Sell subject to planning

