SWEEPING changes have been made to plans to redraw parliamentary constituency boundaries across the North.

The Boundary Commission for England has published its latest proposals for the UK’s political map, designed to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600 to cut costs and equalise constituencies.

Since unveiling its draft plan last September, the BCE has revised its thinking on 17 of its initial proposals in the North East based on public responses.

Its latest proposal, published on Tuesday, would see the North East’s representation cut by four MPs to 25 and North Yorkshire keep eight constituencies.

The first draft made a town and country split in Bishop Auckland, carving Barnard Castle in two and putting Teesdale with Weardale and Consett in a West Durham and Teesdale seat.

Objectors said Barnard Castle and Teesdale should stay with Bishop Auckland, saying it was naturally cohesive with transport links running west-east along the A688.

Its MP Helen Goodman said: “Obviously Labour does not believe it is right that the number of MPs be reduced by 50, especially given the 300 extra peers the Tories have appointed. Nonetheless, if this measure does go ahead these proposals are sensible and I am glad splitting Barney is off the table.”

Another vocal campaigner, Barnard Castle Town Councillor Judi Sutherland said common sense had prevailed.

The assistant commissioners went back to the drawing board for the City of Durham, which instead of stretching to Tow Law and Hetton le Hole is now proposed to sit with Easington and Peterlee.

They admit there are no obvious links between the city and coastal towns but said the move allows for a ‘better pattern across the whole region’.

Hartlepool would be extended to take in Blackhall Colliery and Houghton and Seaham would be together.

The Darlington constituency would spread out from the town to areas such as Denton, Heighington, Bishopton and Middleton St George.

A neighbouring Billingham and Sedgefield constituency would be created.

Billingham’s move would be part of a shake-up on Teesside that would see five constituencies become four and both Stockton North and Stockton South abolished and Middlesbrough South and Thornaby gain areas like Eston and Grangetown.

Stockton North’s Alex Cunningham remains concerned about reduced representation but said the new plan makes more sense than the first draft.

He said: “Whilst I’m saddened to see the Stockton Borough carved three ways, there does at least seem to be some logic to the latest proposals with whole townships contained within respective constituencies.”

In North Yorkshire, three constituencies are unchanged and others got relatively minor revisions.

Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, was pleased to see a proposal to move Great Ayton into the Thirsk and Malton seat, away from neighbouring Stokesley, dropped.

He said: “This made little sense, so thank you to all in Great Ayton who backed me and took the trouble to make their views known in the consultation process. The Commission certainly took note of the overwhelming opposition to the idea.”

The new proposals, available at bce2018.org.uk , are subject to an eight-week consultation before the plan goes before Parliament for a decision in September 2018.

Opposition parties claim the changes would work in Tories’ favour in future elections and others fear it will reduce representation, while some commentators believe the reforms are unlikely to win approval.