Village regeneration housing scheme approved
GoogleA £10.7m scheme which will see houses in a former mining village pulled down has been given planning approval, despite opposition from residents.
The development at Third Street, Fifth Street, and the former Fourth Street in Horden, County Durham, will see existing buildings demolished and replaced with more than 100 new homes.
The properties will include council and market housing and the Reform-led Durham County Council has said current residents are being helped to find new homes.
The demolition plans had drawn hundreds of public comments, with some residents calling for the buildings to be refurbished instead of being knocked down.
"These are homes that still have life in them and belong to a community that many residents wish to stay a part of," objectors said.
Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets Joe Quinn said current residents of Third and Fifth Street would be given priority when the homes are complete, with a local letting scheme in place.
"The new housing will also help to tackle issues associated with long-term empty homes and reflects our commitment to building vibrant and resilient communities across County Durham," he said.
The local authority's planning committee approved the scheme on Wednesday.
Quinn added the council hoped the redevelopment would attract more investment to the area.
Durham County Council has invested £6.2m into the programme, with a further £4.5m coming from the North East Combined Authority.
