PLANS to build more than 60 new homes on the site of a former workingmen’s club have been approved by councillors.

Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) has won planning permission to build 61 homes on land including the former Brandon Workingmen’s Club site, on the town’s Commercial Street.

The club was demolished some time ago.

In December 2007, the now-defunct Durham City Council granted planning permission for construction of 21 homes on the site, but the project did not go ahead.

A separate proposed development for 42 homes on an adjacent site was also not delivered.

Now DVRC, a partnership between Durham County Council and developers Keepmoat, wants to build 61 homes on the combined sites, which together cover three acres.

The scheme will include two and three bedroom homes, some of which will be bungalows. Fourteen will be available for social rent.

Durham County Council’s Central and East area planning committee approved the scheme at a meeting held in Easington council offices on Tuesday, October 27.

Coun Kevin Thompson, Spennymoor and Middlestone, said: "It is a bit of an eyesore. But I believe the density is too high. It’s a few decimal points under 50 houses per hectare."

However, planning officer Allan Simpson said he did not believe the density was too high.

Coun David Freeman, Elvet, said: "I think this would be a real improvement for Brandon."