DURHAM County Council is due to allow objectors to planning applications to speak at meetings.

The council's planning committee will be recommended on Thursday to give applicants and objectors ten minutes each to state their views.

They will also be asked questions under the new procedures being proposed by officials.

Under the current system applicants and objectors make written representations, which are included in the reports prepared by planning officials.

But in meetings, only councillors and officials can speak.

The new system was prompted by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which gives people the right to a fair hearing.

A report by the council's head of planning, John Suckling, and legal services chief, Andrew North, says objectors and applicants will be told they have a right to speak at meetings.

"Only one representative on behalf of the applicant will be heard. Where there is a group of objectors, only one representative will be heard. Where possible, groups of objectors should decide on a single spokesperson."

The report said: "Officers may comment on the representations and the merits of the application. The committee will proceed to debate the application and make a decision."

Earlier this year, Durham City Council allowed people to speak at its development control meetings. Derwentside District Council adopted the system several years ago.

Most planning applications are dealt with by district councils, but certain kinds of development - including quarries and mines - are considered at county level.