WORK has started on a £1.1m public housing scheme for elderly people.

Building at Burnopfield, near Stanley, began just days after another partnership plan to provide 35 flats at Sherburn Park, Consett, was announced as part of a £2.2m scheme.

The social housing schemes follow criticism of Derwentside District Council for allowing an increasing number of private homes to be built at the same time as discussing possible plans to demolish council homes.

The council has granted permission for more than 3,800 homes to be built during the past 20 years, and applications are continuing to rise.

Some people expressed concern that social housing was being forgotten when the authority discussed the future of the district's council estates.

One option being considered is wholesale demolition because of low tenant take-up. No decision has yet been taken.

The 17 bungalows at Magnolia Grove, Burnopfield, will be built by Two Castles Housing Association with government funding allocated by the Housing Corporation.

The Consett Sherburn Park scheme, designed to rejuvenate the area, will provide 35 flats and will also be built with government cash.

Durham Aged Miners Homes Association also plans to build 25 flats.

Operations director of Two Castles, Richard Cave, said that work on the site of a former haulage depot at Burnopfield was designed to serve the needs of the community.

He said: "Derwentside council said there was a need to provide rented and shared ownership housing for local people in Burnopfield.

"We are delighted to be able to start what we consider to be an excellent housing scheme, which has been designed to take into account its location."

Chief executive of the Enterprise Five Housing Association, responsible for the Sherburn Park scheme, said it was the first of a type being encouraged by the Government - a partnership approach, which includes working with local councils.