A FORMER council depot in Chester-le-Street could be demolished to make way for homes and apartments.

Last month, housing association Karbon Homes lodged plans for the works buildings by Bullion Lane in the town.

As part of a major redevelopment of the brownfield site, 22 homes are planned.

This includes 12 one bed apartments available at affordable rent and five two bed houses and five three bed houses available for ‘rent to buy’.

According to planning documents, the site is owned by Karbon Homes and is “no longer required due to operational restructuring.”

The housing scheme would be Homes England funded and would provide entry-level and family homes within walking distance of Chester-le-Street town centre.

A Design and Access Statement adds the estate would provide a “socially sustainable community” and a adjacent community centre could be used to accommodate a neighbourhood group.

It goes on to say: “We note too that the site is contiguous with the stable bungalow community of Sanders Memorial Homes within a well-established residential area.

“Designs are appropriately domestic scale, 21st century and of suburban character to complement the neighbourhood.”

Karbon Homes owns or manages more than 30,000 properties across the North East and Yorkshire, providing social rented, affordable, specialised, shared ownership and market rented homes.

Development Manager for Karbon Homes, Lea Smith, added: “We’re pleased to bring forward these proposals for affordable homes.

“It’s a good site in an excellent location for all the shops and services in Chester-le-Street.

“These 22 new homes, if approved, would form part of our regionwide development programme in 2020/21 where we aim to complete 550 new affordable across the North East and Yorkshire.”

A decision on the Chester-le-Street plan is expected by the end of July following council consultation.

Comments can be made by writing to Durham County Council’s planning department before Tuesday, May 19.

For more information, visit the council’s planning portal and search reference: DM/20/01080/FPA