TOWN planners have been hired to give an estate in Pelton Fell a facelift.

Chester-le-Street District Council has commissioned Turley Associate and Douglas Wheeler Associates to prepare an environmental improvement plan for Poets Estate in Pelton Fell.

The aim is to complement major housing development and other investments planned for the adjoining Whitehill area.

Construction on phase one of the Whitehill developments starts in the autumn and will be completed by 2008.

The focus in Poets Estate will be on improving public areas, landscaping, lighting, open space, infrastructure and connections to the rest of Pelton Fell.

Chester-le-Street District Council leader Linda Ebbatson said: "This is a particularly important initiative and will make a real difference to the quality of the environment of the Poets Estate. Residents will be fully engaged with the team through an ongoing consultation process."

Mr Wheeler said: "We would like to hear from as many people as possible. This is really about finding out about what sort of improvements people want to see."

People are invited to attend a workshop at Pelton Fell Village Hall, next Thursday, May 27, starting at 7pm.