REVISED plans to transform a rundown former factory site have been unanimously approved by councillors.

The Ever Ready battery factory, which once employed 1,000 people on Tanfield Lea industrial estate, near Stanley, closed 20 years ago, was affected by a major fire in a storage unit in 2002 and was subsequently demolished.

Durham County Council gave the green-light to a £35m regeneration project, comprising family homes, shops and business units that was expected to support around 300 jobs, back in April 2014.

But the project never went ahead, primarily because the planning consent granted required the existing access, from the C128 Front Street, be closed and a new entrance created, from New Front Street.

Earlier this year, Esh Developments filed new proposals, with access from the C128, but with a new 40mph speed limit, lowered from 60mph, and traffic islands to slow traffic along the road.

The council’s county planning committee, meeting at County Hall today (Tuesday), unanimously voted to grant planning permission for housing, 1,357sq m of industrial units, 1,454sq m of retail units, landscaping and parking.

Cllr Carl Marshall said he had long been a supporter of the proposals.

“The quicker we can support the developer and encourage them to begin work on the site, the quicker we’ll get over some of the wider issues highlighted by the business community,” he added.

Cllr Alan Shield said he was very pleased at the reduced speed limit, as the C128 was an “extremely busy” road.

But Bob Foster, founder of Forric Construction, which operates from the site, said his company had been without water for six months and the site had been “invaded” by travellers and was plagued by kids on motorbikes at weekends.

Overall, the last 12 months had been an “absolute disgrace”, he said, and promises made to the companies remaining on the site had not been honoured.

Cllr Marshall offered to write to Esh Developments outlining Mr Foster’s concerns and urging the company to help the businesses on the site.

In a report to the committee, council planning officer Andrew Inch had recommended permission be granted.

Esh will help existing business tenants relocate to Harelaw industrial estate, other than Forric Construction and Rondean Machinery, which are remaining at Tanfield Lea; as well paying the council £300 per house for sports provision, £125,000 for a new bus service and £15,000 for bus infrastructure and £60,000 for a footpath and cycle path to the village, plus £1,869 per home if more than 300 are built.