A COUNCIL leader reassured anti-bail hostel protestors in Chester-le-Street that the Probation Service does not have "a cat in hell's chance" of building it.

Councillor Malcolm Pratt urged residents to work with the council to block the plans.

Addressing 300 people attending a public meeting in Greenbank Club, Chester-le-Street, he said the council would not sell its land to the Probation Service.

He told them: "My own personal view is that I don't think there is a cat in hell's chance of them building on that site.

"I want to work with you in vigorously opposing the planning appeal. We will engage the best possible lawyers to help our case."

Along with the council's chief planning officer, Tom Watson, Mr Pratt was invited to address the meeting on Wednesday.

It followed the Planning Inspectorate's decision to take the appeal to public inquiry. This is expected to start in the summer.

Mr Pratt said the Probation Service was likely to see Chester-le-Street as a test case for similar appeals around the country.

He said: "We don't know why they put an appeal in, but we feel it's because they want to win on the 'fear of crime' issue. If we win the appeal, other councils could use this clause.

"If they do win the appeal, the Probation Service cannot make us sell the land. However, the Home Office can use compulsory purchase."