A £265,000 ECO-CENTRE in Teesdale, which would act as a working model of how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle, has been given the go-ahead.

Councillors on Teesdale District Council's planning committee have agreed to give planning permission to the building at the headquarters of Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (TCV), in Startforth, near Barnard Castle.

The centre will be made from eco-friendly materials and will contain offices and areas for training, teaching and exhibitions.

It will be carbon neutral and will use solar power, a wood pellet burner and rainwater harvesting.

TCV runs a range of activities from its base in a former water treatment works, in Deepdale Woods.

It operates Rotters home composting scheme, offers training and hosts school visits.

As well as allowing greater flexibility for visits, the centre would provide much better facilities for its staff.

Before a decision was taken on the application, councillors went to TCV on a site visit.

Martin Bacon, manager of TCV, asked for councillors to share cars, walk or cycle to the site from Barnard Castle, but only two members co-operated, with Councillor John Watson walking and Councillor Phil Hughes, chairman of the planning committee, choosing to ride his fold-away bike.

There was some objection to aspects of the application, including the design and possible problems arising from access to the site.

Coun Watson, who voted in favour of a rejection of the application, said: "We have to demonstrate impartiality, because the council is involved with this organisation.

"There is a history of accidents around the entrance to this site.

That is a fact which needs to be considered.

"I am also not at all convinced that the building's design is in character with the location."

Councillor Richard Bell said: "I think this is an exciting development with lots of potential.

"I haven't got a problem with the design as it is, and requesting an amendment to the design could increase the costs of this project by ten per cent."

After the meeting, Mr Bacon said: "This gives us sustainability for the future. Our volunteers have worked for many years and they have had appalling conditions, but now that can change.

"This building will give us a direction for the next 25 or 50 years.

It's fantastic for Teesdale."