A BUSINESSMAN has vowed to fight on after plans to expand his leisure complex in a rural corner of Durham were thrown out.

Dentist and entrepreneur Les Smith had applied for planning permission to erect a ski slope at Knitsley Mill, Knitsley, near Consett, along with holiday cottages, log cabins, an aircraft hangar and a grass airstrip.

Derwentside District Council's development control committee turned down all the plans at a meeting in Consett Civic Centre.

Mr Smith said he was most upset that the dry ski slope would not go ahead.

He bought the £350,000 slope from Wear Valley District Council at a knock-down £20,000, following the closure of the Spectrum leisure complex in Willington.

Schools across Durham had pledged their support for the scheme to be sited at Knitsley, but there were 17 letters of objections from neighbours.

"This is the chance of a lifetime to put a ski slope in Derwentside," said Mr Smith. "I am perplexed at their attitude, but I will be re-applying."

It is the latest setback for the businessman, who has a long history of run-ins with planning officers.

Feelings ran high in the chamber. Councillors accused Mr Smith of having 'worked the system' in the past. At one point an officer had to remind them that each planning application must be dealt with on its merits and not on Mr Smith's planning history.

"I was surprised at their hostility," said Mr Smith. "Business is a tough enough game at the best of times without this level of opposition.

"I think they are not looking at the future of Derwentside. Unless we bring in exciting things to do, we are going to die in the past."