DEVELOPERS have revealed that the last remaining part of a town’s landmark factory will be pulled down next month.

The demolition of the Stanley Black & Decker building at Thinford, on the edge of Spennymoor, will make way for further development of the DurhamGate estate.

CAST (Carillion Arlington Spennymoor Trust) are regenerating the former industrial land with houses, business, retail and leisure facilities.

The clearing of the Stanley Black & Decker site, which follows the tool and household hardware firm’s move to the DurhamGate North site nearby, will create space for more housing and long-awaited green spaces.

Some residents have complained about delays in the development and being charged an annual fee towards the upkeep of amenity space which has not all been provided yet.

Father-of-three Paul Humble, who moved to DurhamGate in 2012, is angry that an earlier discount has been dropped so householders are being billed the full £120.

He said: “We’re in a freehold house being held to ransom, charged a fee and we don’t know what we’re getting for it.

“I believe a green spine is due to be finished by November but that is almost a full year of paying without being able to make use of it.”

Gary Musgrave, a resident since 2013, refused to pay last year so has now been billed £210.

He said: “We anticipated paying the fee and wouldn’t mind if we had something for it.

“What paths and landscaping is in gets more attention near the businesses than the houses so I don’t see why we should pay yet.”

A spokesperson for the development said: “Residents have received a tapered reduction to the open space provision payment for the past three years during the construction phase.

“he demolition of the Black and Decker factory, which is scheduled to begin in March, will enable the creation of more green spaces for the enjoyment of residents.

“To help residents with their budgeting we have scheduled bills to arrive in February, a month that Council Tax is not payable.”