HOMEOWNERS who lost their houses when a council revealed they were riddled with asbestos can look forward to a brighter year as work starts on a new housing development.

Work is due to start in the coming months on the site of the former St Andrew's housing estate in Bishop Auckland. The council estate was condemned after Wear Valley District Council discovered serious structural damage and asbestos in the party walls of the 1970s buildings.

Most of the houses in St Aidan's Walk and St Cuthbert's Walk were demolished this year and tenants have been re-homed elsewhere in the district.

News that the estate was condemned came as a huge blow to tenants and 27 home owners who had bought their homes under the district council's right-to-buy scheme.

But two-and-a half years of negotiations led to homeowners being offered a £50,000 cash settlement or a three-bedroomed home on the new development.

Now the wait for the homes is almost over with developer Persimmon Homes, which has planning permission for the site, advertising that work will begin shortly.

Wear Valley District Council's director of housing, Michael Laing, said: "This marks a fresh start for the St Andrew's Estate. We are encouraging Persimmons to start as soon as possible in the new year.

"It has been a tough time for everyone involved and my thanks go out to both the elected members representing the ward because they have been very patient and understanding throughout."

The majority of the estate will be for sale on the open market but there will also be two-bedroomed bungalows provided by the Durham Aged Mineworkers Homes Association and houses provided by Endeavour Housing Association.