THE owner of a former cement works site with planning permission for a multi-million pound eco village is working to finding a new use for the land.

Lafarge UK sold the former Blue Circle cement works in Eastgate, near Stanhope, in 2015, after plans to create a green energy village on the land ground to a halt due to the recession.

The cement works was a major employer in Weardale and its closure, in 2002, was a devastating blow to the rural community.

Last Wednesday marked the 15th anniversary of the closure and councillors and former employers expressed frustration that the site remained empty, despite millions of pounds being spent developing the eco-village scheme.

Durham County Council said it was still keen to support the development of the site by any interested parties. And last night, a spokesperson for the owner said: “The owners are continuing to work with the council, who are very supportive, to find a solution for the works site. The new owners believe any solution has to be demand led.

“Although the planning consent for the eco village is still live, all parties recognise that with an estimated cost of delivery in excess of £100 million it was never likely to be built.”