PLANNERS will today vote on whether to knock down eight houses.

Derwentside District Council has lodged an application with its own development control committee to demolish four properties on Pemberton Avenue and four on The Bye, both in The Grove area of Consett.

The council is demolishing housing stock on a number of estates where high maintenance costs are a burden on its finances. The eight houses have fallen into disrepair and have been boarded up for some time.

Once the properties have been bulldozed, the land is likely to be redeveloped.

Councillors are being urged to support the proposal by their planning officers.

At the same meeting, councillors will be urged to allow the conversion and extension of farm buildings into two houses at a village just outside Consett.

An application has been received to demolish the farmhouse and outhouse at Hillside Farm, on Iveston Lane, in Iveston, and replace them with a detached dwelling.

The application was originally deferred so English Nature could be consulted. Members of the committee have visited the site and will be advised of English Natures's views verbally at the meeting.

Principal planning officer Fiona Clarke recommended permission should be granted.