A SECOND council estate in the Chester-le-Street district is to be partially demolished and rebuilt.

Seventy-six homes have been planned for Sandyford Place, Middlefield and Ivyway, in Pelton, in a bid to regenerate the area.

Like many council estates in the region, empty homes on the streets are targeted by vandals, making the area unsightly and leading to more difficulties in letting other properties on the estate.

Under the latest regeneration plans, the most worn-out houses will be selected for demolition.

Sixty-two houses and 14 bungalows will built in their place.

The road through the estate is to be redirected and a car park is to be created for the community centre.

The work is being carried out in conjunction with the regeneration of the Whitehill estate in nearby Pelton Fell.

Most of the Whitehill estate is to be demolished and 260 homes built in its place.

Currently, nearly two-thirds of council homes on the estate stand empty.

A consortium of developers, housing associations and Chester-le-Street District Council has drawn up plans for the estate which aims to regenerate the whole village.

One-to-one meetings with those directly affected by the proposals are being carried out and their comments will be incorporated into the final plan.

No time scale has yet been announced for the Pelton redevelopment, but proposals have been submitted by the housing developers Three Rivers Housing and Haslam Homes.

The plan will be discussed by Chester-le-Street District Council's planning committee when members meet today in the Civic Centre.

It is recommended for approval, providing the developers make a £76,000 payment towards a children's play area or community facilities and £20,000 for public artwork.

A council spokesman said: "The council, in co-operation with local residents and the appointed consortium, is making steady progress with the regeneration of Pelton Fell and the redevelopment of Middlefield and Sandyford in Pelton."