A HOUSE building company has admitted a Health and Safety breach relating to an unsafe temporary working platform on a construction site it was operating during a new homes development.

The charge, of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act, was brought against Dere Street Homes Limited, of Cornsay Colliery, County Durham.

A sub-contractor, SGS Construction and Design Limited, of Consett, which was also working on the Marley Fields site in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, has previously admitted the charge.

Lee Fish, prosecuting for the HSE, said following a previous hearing at Durham Crown Court, he had discussions with counsel for Dere Street Homes, Harry Vann, and it is now accepted it would plead guilty.

The charge states as principal contractor on the construction project it contravened health and safety regulations in failing to manage and monitor the construction phase, including erection and inspection of a safety fall prevention working platform - temporary safety decking - to ensure it was carried out without risks to safety, between June 5, 2018, and July 1, last year.

Mr Vann pleaded guilty on the company’s behalf.

He and his counterpart representing SGS Contruction, Tom Gent, will submit views to the court on where the offence lies within the guidelines, by December 8, with the HSE given two weeks to respond.

The sentencing hearing will take place on January 7.