FARMERS and agricultural businesses in Weardale will be consulted over opportunities arising from a new renewable energy village on the former cement works, at Eastgate.

Academic Mike Dunn, from Bishop Auckland, will begin a three-month study next month to see how the farming sector can benefit from the venture, which would be unique because it would demonstrate all five forms of land-based renewable energy available in the UK - wind, solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal.

The village would also feature one of only two public hot springs in the UK, education and research centres, a hotel, homes and tourist attractions.

Mr Dunn's report will be submitted to the Weardale Task Force in September and is expected to contain a number of recommendations, including using forestry and woodland businesses as well as farms to supply wood, mainly from willow and poplar crop rotation, to heat water on the site.

There could also be contract and maintenance work, jobs within a training and skills centre promoting traditional crafts and sustainable agricultural practices.

Visitors are expected from all over the world, creating a market for bed and breakfast accommodation, pubs and cafes and farm shops.

Mr Dunn, who is conducting the study as part of his post-graduate qualification in rural development and resource management at Newcastle University, plans to visit 30 farms and businesses to gauge support for the venture, which could take at least a decade to complete.

Once this study and other reports, including an assessment of the impact of extra traffic on Weardale's roads, are completed, a planning application will be submitted.

Mr Dunn said: "The proposed renewable energy village is for the benefit of people of the dale and could have a positive impact on farming businesses looking for opportunities to diversify their skills.

"I'm looking forward to speaking to farmers and discussing with them how their business could be given a new lease of life by the opportunities offered at the Eastgate development."