COUNCILLORS have approved plans to add 20 more homes to a major housing development.

Persimmon Homes was given the go-ahead to extend the number of houses at its development at Newfield, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street.

The northern area planning committee meeting at County Hall on Thursday afternoon was told the site is now in the final phase.

The application also involved the demolition of existing farm labourer cottages and buildings dating back to the 1850s.

The council received one letter of support for scheme.

It said: “The farm buildings have lain derelict for a long time and if they are past the restoration stage then to demolish and rebuild using the same footprint and similar materials appears to be the best way forward, as long as it is done in a sympathetic manner, reflective of the heritage of the area.”

Planning permission was initially granted in March 2009 for a residential development of 248 homes.

The meeting was told there have since been ten applications to vary elements of the scheme.

The total number of units within the whole development is now 293.

In a statement Permission Homes said: “The application seeks simply to remix the approved house types across part of the site to react to the changing housing demands of the local population.

“The remixing of the house types ensures that the Newfield development continues to provide the appropriate type and size of housing which the local population and potential purchasers are demanding.

“It is proposed to partially demolish the buildings in a sensitive manner to the historic fabric of the building, retaining when possible materials to be stored securely for future reused in the reconstruction.

“It has been agreed that demolition is to be halted at an appropriate stage when the structure is made safe to reassess the feasibility of retaining any remaining parts of the building in situ as to maintain some of the listed building’s integrity and character.”

Mr France wrote a report for members of the planning committee, advising them the application should be approved.

He said: “Officers have worked through the planning balance of the development plan assessment and comparison to the advice and tests set out in the framework.

“It is concluded that the framework does not indicate that development should be restricted.”