COUNCILLORS have extended the time limit for the development of a district centre in Peterlee.

Abtech Properties won approval for the scheme at Shotton Road/Whitehouse Way in November 2006 with a condition that work start within three years.

But the development has yet to get underway and Durham County Council’s central and east Durham area planning committee has now given the developers a further three years.

The development comprises three shops and six small industrial, warehouse or office units.

Councillors heard that there had been no objections to the time limit extension application.

Area planning Alan Dobie said that a new condition would have to be included in the grant of permission - a Regional Spatial Strategy policy that all major developments have at least ten per cent renewable energy or low carbon sources.