HUNDREDS of residents are to be given a second chance to have their say on proposals to set up a new council covering their village.

A suggestion to set up a new community council covering Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, is being considered.

Durham County Council is carrying out a boundary review following a petition organised by Pelton Fell Community Partnership calling for a new body to represent the village.

Last year, County Hall sent out 900 questionnaires to households asking whether they wanted the change.

Of those, 110 responded within the six-week deadline, a small majority of whom backed setting up a new community council.

In total, 6.87 per cent of households consulted said they were in favour of a new community council, with 5.33 per cent against.

Now a second stage of consultation is underway, with more details revealed about the proposed size and shape of the new authority.

If established, the new seven-member council would come into being in 2017.

In its first year, the county council would have to set the new authority’s Council Tax precept and, although the exact figures are yet to be determined, it is estimated residents living in a Band D property would have to pay around £49.96 a year extra.

Residents have until March 2 to respond to the new set of proposals by email to durhamcgr@durham.gov.uk

Colette Longbottom, Durham County Council’s head of legal and democratic services, said: “This consultation is extremely important for the area and we would encourage as many people to respond as possible.”