A PLAN to demolish a former charity building and replace it with housing has been approved by councillors.

Fourteen flats will be built on The Volunteer Centre site on Clarence Terrace in Chester-le-Street.

The building dates to the 1970s and was previously used by Chester-le-Street and District CVS and Volunteer Bureau.

Concerns were raised about whether the development would increase the risk of flooding in the area, as well as the potential loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

Retired IT project manager Charles Lodge, 64, said: “I live in Diamond Lodge and my wife and daughter own numbers two and three Clarence Terrace.

“I have concerns about the removal of sewage and water from the development site, both surface and underground water as the chosen routes may impact on those three properties.

“Diamond Lodge was flooded on November 29, 2012. It took over a year and cost my insurance company over £100,000 to get my home back to normal.”

The land was sold by Durham County Council and will be developed by McCarrick Construction.

In his applicants’ statement, company spokesman Matthew McCarrick said: “The design proposed, sympathetic to its surrounding area in tone, yet with a modern twist to create a desirable place to live will also provide pleasant vista for the surrounding buildings.

“The mix of materials has been carefully considered by highly-trained local architects who are familiar with the needs of the area and are keen to ensure the building sits well within the established leafy surroundings.

“Care has been taken to ensure minimal impact to surrounding vegetation while complimenting the established trees with new shrubbery and gardens.”

The plans were approved by the council’s planning committee at a meeting at County Hall in Durham on Thursday.

The meeting was told the company has agreed to pay a section 106 agreement of £14,000, which is expected to fund community facilities in the area.

Planning officer Nick Graham wrote a report for members recommending the scheme for approval.

He said: “The site, by virtue of its location, is considered highly sustainable and noted as being previously developed land.

“The proposal would meet the requirements with respects to neighbouring privacy and amenity, highway safety and access, and land contamination issues.

“It is considered that foul and surface water drainage, sustainability, and ecological matters can be dealt with by way of condition.”