CONSULTATIONS are continuing on plans to build 800 homes in Spennymoor.

The £50m scheme, which was unveiled at Spennymoor Town Hall for public inspection about a month ago, has met with a mixed reaction.

Councillor Bill Waters, leader of Spennymoor Town Council, greeted the proposal as vital to the town's regeneration. But 132 residents presented a petition to the council, saying the development would cause traffic problems and ruin a walkway.

Now the plans have been submitted to Sedgefield council planning officers, who are examining the scheme.

Chris Harrison, from planning consultants Nathaniel, Lichfield and Partners, said: "We are undertaking the consultation process. We are looking at tying this bid together with the comments made at the public meeting in Spennymoor, and will take these comments on board, seeing what we need to move it forward."

The original development was proposed in 1995 and involved 600 homes and an 18 hole golf course. The plans have since been amended to comply with Government building regulations.

About 190 houses have been added and the site has been moved nearer the town centre and further away from Whitworth Hall.

Whitworth Hall stressed if the development goes ahead, it should not alter the surroundings at the ancestral home of Bobby Shafto.

One of the owners of the hotel, Bill Gates, said: "We have got brides ringing up worried their weddings are going to be taking place in the middle of a building site.

"The building will be shielded from view behind the trees and it will not affect the tranquillity of the deer park."