A FORMER old people's home could be demolished to make way for housing.

Lancing Homes is seeking planning permission to build 23 houses on the site of Syke House, Priestfield Gardens, Burnopfield.

Syke House, which was home to 33 residents, was run by Durham County Council, which closed it "temporarily" early last year because fire precautions were sub-standard.

It is now one of 17 council homes selected to close in a modernisation of the council's elderly care provision.

On Thursday, Derwentside District Council's development control committee will be recommended to grant planning permission for the site's redevelopment.

The firm is proposing a terrace of two and three-bedroom properties and one detached house.

Residents in Garesfield Gardens have objected, saying that a terrace will compound loss of sunlight suffered by pensioners living in bungalows.

Councillors will be told that as the developer has provided no children's play area on the site it should be asked to pay £6,900 towards the council's leisure strategy.

The county council launched its modernisation programme, saying it could not afford costly upgrades to meet new accommodation standards.