A COUNCIL has responded to concerns that it worked in tandem with an agency hoping to build a controversial bail hostel.

Chester-le-Street District Council threw out plans for the 25-bed town centre hostel last year, but residents have since questioned the authority's involvement.

County Durham Probation Service documents show councillors and officers worked closely with the agency before the planning application was received, in October last year.

The council also drew up a communications strategy to deal with press inquiries, and quoted a price of £75,000 for the land.

It has also emerged that Civic Centre staff were briefed on the plans by agency managers - despite a developer not usually being allowed to brief council workers.

The documents show how the council gave the agency a list of ten potential sites, including land to the rear of the Civic Centre, and what became its second choice in nearby Perkinsville.

Council bosses responded yesterday with a detailed account and said they became involved because they had a statutory right to treat the probation service as a partner.

Kevan Jones, the MP for North Durham, said he wanted the council to come clean over its apparent encouragement of the bail hostel.

A council spokeswoman said it was not unusual for senior councillors and officers to meet with major developers, and that giving planning applicants a list of sites was not uncommon. Civic Centre staff were seen as an interested party and were therefore consulted, she said.

She also said that its communication strategy was designed to help public consultation, and the probation service was given a price for the land to help it add up its overall development cost, should it get planning permission.

Responding to claims that the planners' refusal represented an about-face brought about by public pressure, the spokeswoman said: "When we consult we listen to and take account of public views.

"If this is bowing to public pressure then so be it - provided it is only for sound planning reasons. The council aims to listen to the people it represents."

A decision on this summer's public inquiry into the probation service's appeal is expected before the end of the year.