A DEVELOPER yesterday gained planning permission to build homes on the site of a former garage in Spennymoor.

Hall Construction Services plans to build ten houses and two apartments on the corner of Low Grange Road and Hartley Terrace.

A group of run-down buildings on the site, formerly used as a vehicle repairs centre and showroom, will be demolished to make way for the development.

The courtyard scheme, which will include two to four-bedroomed houses and two-bedroomed apartments, was welcomed by councillors who felt it would enhance the area.

Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee heard that, following talks with its planning officers and highways experts at Durham County Council, the access road had been changed from Durham Road to Hartley Terrace and improvements would be made.

A neighbour said she remained concerned because three roads would meet at a junction that is already an accident blackspot.

Head of planning services, Charlie Walton, said: "We have to remember this site was used for motor repairs and a showroom and the traffic flow would have been greater. It could revert to that and there would be nothing we could do about it."

The committee granted planning consent with a series of conditions, including a contribution of £8,400 by the developer towards play facilities or environmental improvement in the community.

Councillor Andrew Smith, chairing the meeting, said: "We have approved the application but will also write, as a committee, to Durham County Council as the highways agency to look carefully at road safety improvements to that area."