A DEVELOPER is seeking permission to build dozens of homes on land near Spennymoor.

Initial Developments has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council for up to 46 houses and bungalows on land at Low Road, Kirk Merrington.

The council has already rejected four previous planning applications for houses on the site, including one for 49 houses and a 2,000sqft retail space in December 2014.

The applicant is hoping to build a mix of semi-detached and detached two, three and four bedroom houses.

The houses will all be two storeys in height apart from six single storey bungalows.

A statement submitted with the application said: “The proposed development will make a meaningful contribution to boosting the supply of housing and the site is readily available.

“The proposed development will deliver affordable housing and would act as a logical extension to the settlement of Kirk Merrington.”

Adding: “The proposed development will deliver significant economic benefits to the local and wider community, including in the order of approximately £1.1m in Council Tax and New Homes Bonus receipt over a period of six years.”

It is also claimed that the development would bring with it no less than 69 full time equivalent jobs over the construction period.

A site notice has been issued to neighbouring properties and members of the public have until Tuesday, November 8 to comment on the application.

To view the planning application online, visit publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search for reference DM/16/03101/OUT.