PLANNING officers have allowed a new discount supermarket to be built after arrangements were agreed to preserve part of a former colliery community’s mining heritage.

Durham County Council approved by Lidl for a new store on land at Boyd Street in Delves Lane, Consett, subject to detailed plans for the protection of an archway which led to the former Victory pit site.

The scheme involves knocking down the existing buildings to create the outlet and a car park for customers.

But campaigners, backed by North-West Durham MP Laura Pidcock, wrote to the authority asking for the archway to be protected.

The company has now proposed to disassemble it and rebuild it brick by brick in another location on the site.

Durham County Councillor Jane Brown, who welcomed the changes, said: “Lidl are now more than happy to relocate the arch on the site.

“They are also going to fund a plaque explaining what it is. It’s even more than expected. I am more than happy with the outcome, as are the community groups and the residents I have spoken to.”