PLANS to build six workshops on an industrial estate in Barnard Castle will be a big boost for the local business community, councillors said yesterday.

Members of Teesdale District Council's development control south committee welcomed the application to create the industrial units and said it would play an important role in attracting businesses to the town.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans for the workshops at Harmire Enterprise Park, off Harmire Road.

The only concerns raised were that the site was on land the highways authority has outlined as the area in which any future Barnard Castle by-pass might be built.

But council planning officer Trevor Watson said the highways authority had confirmed that it would not fall into the designated area.

Councillor Richard Betton said: "The industrial estate wants to be full, it wants to be busy and needs to be vibrant, and this is adding to that."

Barnard Castle investment company Ravenstonedale, which submitted the application, aims to have the units completed by Christmas.

Managing director George Gledhill, said: "These are ideal for people wanting to start a business, because they are quite small and relatively cheap to rent.

"I think it is great news for Barnard Castle, and they have proved to be a success in other towns where we have built them. We are even looking at putting in solar panelling to provide renewable energy for the units."