COUNCILLORS are being urged to back plans to build homes on the site of a former health centre as long as £12,000 is provided to benefit the local community.

Daniel Haffenden has applied to Durham County Council to build terraced homes on the former Willington Health Centre plot, on Chapel Street, Willington.

He bought the land in 2014 and initially entered a scheme for nine two and three bedroomed houses and a block of nine two and three bedroomed properties.

Following talks with the council this was withdrawn.

A re-designed plan has now been submitted with nine two and three bedroomed terrace homes plus one block of three properties with three bedrooms.

The plans have been advertised locally and no objections have been received from residents living near the site.

On site car parking will also be created on the land, where the medical centre, which has since been demolished, stood.

The application is due t go before the council’s Area Planning Committee (South and West) on Thursday, May 14.

Planning officers are recommending the plans are approved if Mr Haffenden agrees to sign a 106 agreement to pay £12,000.

As the scheme does not include any community or recreational facilities, the money would be spent on providing them locally.