THE future vision of housing and business growth in County Durham remains unknown as a Government proposal puts the development of its plans on hold.

Progress to Durham County Council’s Local Plan will be delayed further due to the Housing White Paper which seeks to address the national housing crisis.

Council leaders say uncertainty surrounding the policy’s details has forced the authority to place the Durham Local Plan development on the back-burner.

A Cabinet meeting this week heard the council was committed to developing its plan but was awaiting a consultation on the White Paper, expected to be published this month.

Cllr Carl Marshall said: “It must allow us to prepare our plan that nails economic growth in County Durham including by delivering more and better jobs and boosting housing supply across the county.

“Subject to the detail of housing requirement consultation the council continues to be committed to getting a Local Plan adopted as soon as possible which delivers the best opportunities for our residents and businesses.”

Earlier this year councils were told to produce plans by 2017 or face Government intervention.

Ian Thompson, director of regeneration and local services, said the council would review its position in the autumn.