A COUPLE who want to build ten holiday chalets next to their pub have been told they must first pay £15,000 to upgrade the village electricity transformer.

Maggie and Bill Smith, who run the Wardle Bridge Inn, said they were astonished to learn that the transformer could not cope with any extra power demands.

Electricity firm NEDL said the couple would have to pay £15,000 to install a larger transformer in the village of Holmside, near Stanley.

Mrs Smith said: "We understand we have to pay for a service and we wouldn't object to a reasonable cost, but this is outrageous.

"They (NEDL) came out, had a look and then sent us an estimate. When we got it, we couldn't believe it.

The couple had hoped to boost trade and benefit the local economy by building the chalets, including one designed for disabled use, on land next to the pub.

Mrs Smith said: "It is ridiculous, really. Last year, we wanted to put electric heating in the bedrooms at the pub and we were told there wasn't even enough power to do that.

"I cannot believe in this day and age that people are expected to pay just to get a normal service."

Mrs Smith said the 30 households in the village often experienced problems with power supply.

Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson said: "This is grossly unjust. Ten holiday homes in an area like Holmside would make a big difference to the local economy and would be greatly welcomed."

A spokesman for NEDL said the transformer would have to be upgraded but denied it was already operating at full capacity.

She said: "This development and further requested works at the pub is going to push it over capacity."

Last week Durham City Council and Derwentside District Council granted permission for four 100-metre-tall wind turbines.

The windmills will be built at Holmside and near Haswell, Durham and will provide enough electricity to power 4,500 homes.