Environment and Planning
Find out what happens when motorists dump their cars, what action is taken and what penalties are faced the person registered as the owner of an abandoned vehicles.
Animal Welfare
The Animal Health Section of Durham County Council Trading Standards service deals with enquires about farm animal movement and other farm animal welfare enquires.
Building Control
The Building Control system exists to make sure that buildings are properly designed and constructed so as to ensure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people using them.
Commercial Waste and Recycling
Advice on how to deal with hazardous waste and waste permits, as well as information on recycling.
Conservation
See details of a number of conservation projects and find out about countryside, nature reserves and other conservation areas in County Durham. We also have information on historic and listed buildings, archaeology, sites and monuments and the Durham Heritage Coast.
Countryside
County Durham has some of the England’s most beautiful countryside, includes areas of special designation and areas of outstanding natural beauty. Find out how the landscape was formed and how it's used today, what significant wildlife is located in the region and how the County Council manages many of countryside sites.
Emergencies
Details of what to do in an emergency and how the Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) provides a coordinated link between local authority resources and emergency services, utilities, voluntary agencies and other organisations.
Grants
Information on a wide variety of funding opportunities relevant to people involved in community, educational, business, cultural and environmental projects, helping them to obtain advice, support and funding to ensure projects are successful.
Land and Premises
See information on the landscape characteristics of the County Durham area or find out about commercial lettings, council owned land and premises and reclamation. Geo-technical services are also available.
Landscape
Find out more about the landscape of County Durham; we have information on the types of landscape across the county and specific details of rural and garden hedges, including regulations and grants. Details of the County Durham Landscape Character Assessment are available, alongside our landscape strategy and facts about the work of the council’s Landscape Team.
Licences and Street Trading
Many activities require licences, some of which are issued by the County Council. Trading Standards can provide advice to help you comply with the relevant legislation.
Parking
Find out about parking in the area, including the location of car parks and controlled parking areas, how to use our 'park and ride' service and parking zones and permits. We have also provided information on Gypsy and Traveller Sites available across the County.
Parks and Recreation
We have a variety of information on countryside, county parks, nature reserves and other open spaces. Find out more about beaches, picnic areas, reservoirs and woodlands in the area and how our ranger service assists with the public’s access to, and enjoyment of the environment around them.
Planning
Durham County Council is the County Planning Authority and we determine planning applications for minerals and waste related matters and for development by the County Council's own services (such as schools, highways, social care facilities). We also prepare policies for minerals, waste and related environmental issues. All other planning applications are dealt with by the relevant District and Borough Councils.
Pollution
See information on pollution control in relation to air, asbestos, contaminated Land, hazardous substances and water.
Regeneration
Find out about a number of projects within the county relating to regeneration, such as neighbourhood improvement and renewal schemes and the 'Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative'.
Roads, Highways and Pavements
Information on subjects related to roads and highways, including; parking, how to report abandoned vehicles, how to transport abnormal loads, our gritting service, road maintenance, markings and signage, and traffic consultations. We have provided details of 'HAL' (our highways action line) so that you can report road or street lighting problems, and tell us about potholes and where street repairs are needed. We also have information on pavements, verges and road safety.
Rubbish, Waste and Recycling
Get information on all areas of rubbish, waste and recycling, covering subjects such as; commercial waste, fly-tipping, hazardous or household waste, recycling and waste permits.
Street Care and Cleaning
A variety of information relating to all aspects of street care and cleaning, such as graffiti and litter removal, grass cutting tree management and gully cleansing, pavements and street furniture and the provision of street lighting and public conveniences.
Sustainability
Find out about Sustainable Development and Agenda 21, as well as information on the County Durham partnership for sustainability. Get information on the Council's involvement with projects such as the annual festival for sustainability ‘Action Packed Futures’ and Fairtrade, as well as details on other sustainability issues, including renewable energy, conservation, waste & recycling and pollution.
Town Centre Management
Information is available, on a number of town centres in the County Durham area, relating to recent or forthcoming traffic management proposals.
