A PROPOSED residential development project, which could breathe new life into a run-down part of County Durham, looks set to be approved.

But the expected approval of the scheme at Cold Hesledon will go against professional officers' advice at Easington District Council.

The application to build private houses at the Hillcrest Garage site, near Murton, will come before the authority's development control and regulartory panel this week when it is likely to win members' backing.

The scheme, however, has already been recommended for refusal by Graeme Reed, the council's head of planning and building control services.

He advised members of the authority that the project would represent a residential development in the countryside "without an appropriate agricultural, forestry or other rural justification".

In his report to members, he also stated that the proposal would result in "isolated and sporadic development'', and that approval of the proposal could establish a precedent for similar developments on other sites in the district.

The former Hillcrest garage has stood empty since its owner moved his business to another location.

The owner's agent, Bill Scorer, a former executive director at the district council, told the panel that his client had actively marketed the site, through East Durham Business Services (EDBS) as a garage and car sales centre for the past 16 months, but had had no takers.

Mr Scorer also pointed out that similar sites in the district, such as Mick Emery car sales, near Littlethorpe, had been granted approval for residential development and precedents had already been set.

But principal planning services officer, Alan Dobie, said he was not aware of the site being marketed by EDBS and said: "If members approved the application it would place more pressure on the council to approve susbequent permissions.''

Members, however, felt that the site was not likely to ever be used for business again and could quickly become unattractive and a problem site.

And in recommending the application's approval the panel said it felt the develop-ment "would help to regenerate the district and improve the character and appearance of the area.''

The matter will finally be decided on Tuesday evening.