A COUPLE'S plan to demolish their four-bedroomed house and build six smaller ones in its place has been delayed because of a parking problem.

Christine and Graham Wood want to knock down their home in Harmire Close, Barnard Castle, and build terraces of two-bedroomed properties.

They hoped to get planning approval for the scheme from Teesdale District Council, despite a number of objections from residents.

But Trevor Watson, the council's principal planning officer, said that part of the parking places included in the scheme were on public land which could not be considered.

He said: "They have now submitted a new layout with all the parking places on their own land, so this is now being considered.

"We will have to wait and see what the reaction of local residents is to this new submission.

"We will take any comments into account before we decide how to deal with it."

Mr and Mrs Wood, who operate a forklift truck business, said the smaller houses they are proposing are exactly what the town needs for young people.

But objectors have stated that if six households live in on a space that is currently occupied by one, it is bound to have an impact on all the other residents.

Mr and Mrs Wood bought their house seven years ago and later purchased some spare land to extend their garden.