COUNCILLORS have approved plans for new townhouses on the site of a derelict former social club.

Durham County Council’s area planning committee meeting endorsed an application by Glyn Jones for 14 homes at the former Murton Victoria Club, in Murton.

The development will comprise three blocks of four town houses and two semi-detached townhouses, with access from Church Street to the North.

The three-bedroom homes will be two-and-a-half storeys in height

Recommending approval, planning officer Alan Dobie said: “The club site is in the middle of a residential area and on a main road, so is very prominent site.

“It is a site that has had a lot of problems in recent years trying to get this site up and running for various uses, with alternative forms of development. Up to now nothing has actually paid off.

“The club is in the process of being demolished, so clearly this is a very welcome proposal to rebuild this site for residential use.”

He added: “There are terraced houses around that area so it is densely built up and a residential development of 14 dwellings will fit in well.”

The townhouses will all have their own garden areas and off-street parking facilities,.along with off street parking for visitors.

Councillor June Clark said: “I think it’s an excellent development. It will be much welcomes in that locality which is looking very run down at the moment.

“I am also very pleased to hear there has been some work done with the local residents to ensure access, because that is something that would have worried them.”