THE fate of an ambitious growth strategy remains in the balance tonight (Thursday, April 2), despite high-level talks between council chiefs and planning officials.

Six weeks after seeing their long-awaited County Durham Plan (CDP) torn to shreds by an independent Planning Inspector, Durham County Council bosses finally got the chance to discuss Harold Stephens’ report with the Planning Inspectorate today (Thursday, April 2).

But there was no clear outcome, with Ian Thompson, the council’s corporate director for regeneration and economic development, saying only the talks had provided an opportunity to explore options and the authority would now consider its next steps.

In his explosive interim report, issued following a six-week public inquiry last autumn, Mr Stephens slammed the CDP, which aims at 30,000 new jobs and 31,400 new homes by 2030, as flawed, unrealistic and unsound.

He appeared to leave the Labour-led authority with no option but to bin their 20-year economic masterplan and start again.

But the council has since made clear it hopes to salvage the strategy.

In a statement issued today (Thursday, April 2), Mr Thompson said: “We welcome the fact that the Inspectorate took the time to come and meet with us today.

“It has given us the opportunity to explore our options for moving forward.

“We will now consider our next steps and remain committed to keeping all interested parties fully informed once we have a clear way ahead.”

The CDP has strong backing from businesses and developers, led by former Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall, but is firmly opposed by some residents’ groups and green campaigners, who are particularly unhappy at plans to turn Durham City into a boom town with 5,000 new homes, including 4,000 on Green Belt land; two multi-million pound bypasses; and a world-class business hub at Aykley Heads.

Roger Cornwell, chair of the City of Durham Trust, said: "Following the meeting between the council and the Planning inspectorate, we are disappointed that the council is not consulting with ourselves and other interested parties in the quest to find a way forward, but seems determined to come to a unilateral decision then advise us of it later.

"They got into this situation because they did not listen to the people of Durham, and now they are repeating that mistake."

The council has refused to meet objectors since Mr Stephens’ report was published, saying it would do so when appropriate.

The Planning Inspectorate declined to comment following today’s (Thursday, April 2) meeting.