TWO schemes to boost housing and industry in Consett have been given the go-ahead.

Durham County Council has granted planning permission for a revised Shepherd Homes housing project at Dales View, in Delves Lane, and lighting improvements at nearby Elddis Transport.

Shepherd Homes wanted to alter the design of homes planned for 31 plots which will make up part of a much larger development of more than 240 properties.

Development control manager Fiona Clarke said the design changes were to windows, house frontages and garage doors.

She described them as "cosmetic" but added: "I think it’s a better quality scheme than was originally approved."

The council’s North Durham area planning committee approved the scheme at a meeting held in Chester-le-Street civic centre on Thursday.

Earlier, councillors backed Elddis Transport’s plans to install a new lighting system aimed at improving safety and security at its 40,000sq metre storage and distribution depot.

Seventy lights of between 70 watts and 400 watts will be replaced with 12 lights of 400 watts, all on 10m high columns, and one of 70 watts.

Planning officer Ann Rawlinson said the plans would cut energy use from 8.3 kilowatts to 7.65 kilowatts.

Mark Rankin, Elddis Transport’s commercial manager, said the firm, which employs 300 people, had some requirement to work 24 hours a day seven days a week and it was imperative staff operate within a safe environment.

Mr Rankin said although the depot is manned by security staff and covered by CCTV, it was continually exposed to security threats.

Coun Joe Armstrong said: "Elddis is a very well established company who employ lots of people in the Consett area and bring lots of money into the economy.

"For us to turn this down would be sinful."

Coun Jane Brown asked if skirting could be added to one of the proposed lights to limit glare. Ms Rawlinson said this could be considered if complaints were made.

Councillors also granted planning permission for the change of use of agricultural land east of 63 Meadowfield, Burnhope, to a horse paddock, along with the construction of a stable block.