PLANS have been unveiled for a terrace of commercial units including a veterinary surgery on a derelict tract of land in the heart of an east Durham community.

Zetland Estates has applied to Durham County Council seeking permission build the three new units on the site of former Carlton Bingo in Sunderland Road, Horden, near Peterlee.

The site in close proximity to the junction between Coast Road and Shotton Road has been cleared in recent years and the surrounding area is mixed in character with a range of commercial uses.

If approved, one of the units will be used as a veterinary practice operated by Vets4Pets, whose nearest practices are in Hartlepool and Sunderland.

An end user has not yet been identified for the second unit, with the application seeking consent for a flexible range of retail uses to improve the marketability of the premises. The third unit is expected to be occupied by a national bakery chain, subject to contract.

According to the Zetland Estates’ planning statement the proposed development will secure the active re-use of this longstanding vacant site, while the proposed range of uses will “clearly enhance the overall vitality and viability of this part of Horden local shopping centre”.

The buildings will be constructed of a predominantly facing brickwork with composite metal cladding incorporated within the upper sections of the main elevation.

An ATM will be provided to the side of one of the units, while there will be dedicated parking to the front of the development, providing a total of 15 spaces with access taken from Shotton Road.

These services will undoubtedly enhance the range and quality of shopping and commercial facilities available to local residents in Horden, thereby helping to increase pedestrian flows within the Local Centre, with resultant benefits for existing businesses through the creation of linked trips.

The application proposals will also secure the long term active re-use of this disused land giving rise to significant benefits in terms of visual amenity and general perceptions of the local area.

The application proposals also represent significant inward investment in the town by the applicant and will generate a number of jobs for local people.