Plans for 162 homes approved by Durham County Council – eco-group say it will put them out of business

ONE of the dale’s biggest housing developments in decades has been given the green light this afternoon – leading to worries a popular eco-group will be put out of business.

Land near Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institute, in Startforth, was granted approval for 162 homes at County Hall today (April 4).

The co-owner and operator of nearby Teesdale Conservation Volunteers, Martin Bacon, said he was “very disappointed” by the decision adding that it left Rotters in a “very precarious position”.

He added: “The councillors in there today have just closed down a business in a town with low employment – they’ve made my staff redundant.”

Councillors backed the recommendation of planning officers to approve the development.

It is estimated the homes, to be built by developer Kier Living, will take five years to be finished.

Full story in next week's paper.