READERS were left divided after it emerged a council was investigating claims the property where Dominic Cummings stayed during lockdown does not have the correct planning permission.

The Northern Echo's readers had mixed opinions after it was revealed Durham County Council were looking into several complaints relating to Mr Cummings' family home at North Lodge, near Durham.

On social media, Durham County Council faced criticism as some suggested it should be focussing on the repairing of roads and the completion of ongoing roadworks.

Daniel Dunnet said: "Durham County Council should spend their time doing something constructive like finishing of all the roadworks or offering free waste collections.

"It seems as though they closed for eight weeks but still collected full council tax."

Eddie Bell suggested that the focus should be shifted to planning permission that was granted for the construction of new council offices in Durham City Centre.

He said: "Perhaps they should ask the government for a full enquiry into the planning permission granted for the new County Hall on the Riverside, especially considering the access - now that would be interesting."

Christopher Hackworth added: "Can the council not look at proper things we pay a fortune for in council tax like fixing the roads for example."

But other readers appeared to back the council's decision to look into the claims at North Lodge.

Reacting, Jan Snow said: "Good - if any of us ordinary people wanted to build on our land we would need to get planning permission."

On Twitter, another reader said: "Good. You should always make sure you have the correct planning permission. Why should Cummings be any different to everyone else."