LIVIN has secured planning permission to pull down 20 garages in Spennymoor to make space for new houses.

On Thursday, Durham County Council’s area planning committee (south and west) agreed the social housing provider can demolish two garage blocks on Villa Street and build four rental houses on the land.

Neighbours and tenants objected and 24 signed a petition.

Councillor Kevin Thompson said: “I do not believe we should pull down perfectly good garages to put more cars on already congested roads in an area suffering parking problems. The myriad of back streets are already difficult for cars and pedestrians to negotiate.”

With plans for 2,000 new houses already passed, the town does not need these four, he said.

Cllr Liz Maddison called livin to reconsider its plan and said residents would not have the money to appeal.

Planning officer Mark O’Sullivan recommended approval of the ‘sympathetic redevelopment’ and said the ‘economic, social and environmental benefits’ would not be outweighed by an adverse impact. The highways team said there will be enough on-street space for displaced vehicles and safety and access for emergency and service vehicles would not be affected.

The application was approved after a vote.