THE new chairman of Hurworth Parish Council has said a decision will be taken soon on a dispute and has not ruled out fighting the case in court.

The "Orpen Affair", as it has become known, began when Gary Orpen threatened legal action against Hurworth Community Association and Hurworth Parish Council.

He claims they failed to stop vandalism in the grounds of the Hurworth Grange Community Centre, next to his property.

Councillor Peter Foster, elected as chairman last week, hopes a new policy will be finished by August.

The previous policy, offering Mr Orpen one square kilometre of land as a "buffer zone", was withdrawn after public opposition.

Last week, the parish council heard an update from its legal representative, Darlington Borough Council's Luke Swinhoe.

Councillors voted to exclude public and press from the discussion, but Coun Foster said little progress was made.

"We got no further," he said. "But we need to make a decision soon.

"When the parish council first decided to offer him the land, I voted against it, so obviously I don't want to go down that route now. And, judging by the public meeting we had, they don't want to either.

"We need to get it sorted and I think we might have to face it head on.

"That might mean court, but we would have to take the public with us.

Another parish council meeting, to discuss a new strategy, is planned later this month.