THE controversy surrounding the demolition of a run-down council estate is over, council officials said last night.

Plans to rebuild the Whitehill estate, Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, were unveiled last December.

The project is a joint venture between Bellway Homes, the Nomad Housing Group and the Durham Aged Mineworkers Homes Association.

It aims to replace the estate with a mixture of private homes, social housing and retirement bungalows.

But it ran into delays after some of those who own their homes refused to sell.

Mark Teasdale, project manager for Chester-le-Street District Council, said: "There has been broad support for the principles of the scheme.

"It has been complicated by the fact that we have had to buy some properties from homeowners and there have certainly been some robust discussions about those.

"There has been quite a bit of dislocation and pain for people. But it is going to be worth the hassle in the long run."

Demolition began in August.

The estate's tenants have been moved into temporary accommodation, but there were protracted discussions with 18 homeowners, who bought their houses through the Right to Buy scheme.

Some protested at the amount of compensation they were receiving and the plans have now been revised after seven refused to sell.

Instead of 260 new homes, 254 will be built, around the seven houses. Plans were put out to public consultation earlier this year and only one resident has objected.

"The fact that there has only been one objection speaks for itself," said Mr Teasdale.

"For a long time, there has been a strong groundswell of opinion locally, that there is a desperate need to regenerate Pelton Fell."

By last year, the estate had become a virtual no-go area.

It was easy prey for vandals and arsonists, with two-thirds of the houses standing empty.

"Finally, we can hit the button and get going," said Mr Teasdale.

"This is not just about building a lot of houses. It is about building a community and I am interested in creating one that will sustain itself over the longer term."

The council's planning committee is expected to grant planning permission for the scheme at its meeting in the town's civic centre today.