THE site of a local recording studio could become old people’s bungalows.

Durham Aged Mineworkers Homes Association is seeking to redevelop the old Miners Hall at Percy Terrace, Delves Lane, Consett.

The hall, which was built in the mid-1920s became the home of the Northern Recording music co-operative, which was set up in the 1980s following the closure of the town’s steelworks.

It organised the popular Stanley Blues and Allensford Roots Music festivals and built a recording studio that was used by many upcoming local bands.

Northern Recording also operated the Making Music Project, which gave many youngsters the chance to develop their musical talents and get experience of using a professional studio.

Northern Recording folded in 2005 over funding problems and the blues festival, which had become a major event attracting five figure crowds, was held for the last time in 2007.

The new festival organising group could not secure the funding it needed to maintain the event.

The Miners Hall stood empty after Northern Recording’s demise before being demolished.

DAMHA wants to build a terrace of five two-bedroomed bungalows on the site, which is near an existing development it has.

A spokesman for the association said that if planning permission was forthcoming it was hoped that the scheme would be ready by March.

He said that it was likely there would be strong demand for the new homes, which would have solar panels.

He added that there were no plans to name the development after the site’s musical past.

The decision on whether to grant planning permission is likely to be left to planning officials at Durham County Council.