A RELAUNCHED economic masterplan which could see more than 7,000 new homes built in and around Durham has failed to win over its opponents.

Durham County Council chiefs unveiled the latest draft of their multi-million pound County Durham Plan, which they hope will transform the county into an economic powerhouse with 29,000 new homes and 16,000 new jobs by 2030, late last week.

They claimed the updated plan had a greater focus on the county, rather than just Durham City.

But objectors say any changes have not gone nearly far enough.

Durham is still earmarked for 7,300 new homes, including 4,750 in the city, and two new bypasses; and Aykley Heads is still seen as a potential cutting-edge business hub.

Douglas Pocock, honorary secretary of the City of Durham Trust conservation group, said the plan still focused ‘overwhelmingly’ on the city and still had three-quarters of its new housing on green belt land.

A Green Belt campaign has been launched to save the city’s protected open spaces.

Meanwhile, Framwellgate Moor county councillor Mark Wilkes called on residents to read and respond to the latest draft.

He said: "It is very clear to me that once the strategy is in place, it becomes almost impossible to change it and that the new bypasses and houses would have to be built on greenbelt, primarily around Pity Me, Brasside and Framwellgate Moor.

"Those residents who do not want to see this happen or have specific comments must comment on the need for so many houses in Durham City and the council’s strategy before July 8."

No decisions have yet been made on where new homes would be built, but council officials prefer three sites in Durham City: at Sniperley, near the Arnison Centre and south of Sherburn Road.

Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of planning, has said the Plan can both protect Durham and its environment and encourage economic growth; and there had been a ‘mixed response’ to the council’s vision for the city.

The latest consultation ends on Friday, July 8. For more information and to take part, visit durham.gov.uk/consultation