PLANS to replace a former hotel with apartments have been welcomed, but councillors have spoken out about the state of the site.

Knightsbridge Developments will build 44 apartments where the Kensington Hall Hotel, in Willington, used to stand.

The developers demolished the derelict building after it attracted vandals, but waste materials still litter the site several months on.

Wear Valley District Council's development control committee granted permission to amend a previous planning application for 31 apartments and seven town houses on Thursday night.

Councillors at the meeting backed the plans for a castlestyle development but expressed the concerns of residents about the waste. Councillor Joe Buckham said the situation was "ridiculous."

He said: "The developer has not in any way, shape or form tried to be nice to the local people."

But he put forward a motion to approve the scheme, which he said would be good for the town.

"Ever since the owners of the hotel decided they were going to sell it, it has been a blot on the landscape," he said. "It's nice to see we are getting a quality development here."

David Townsend, the council's chief of planning, said that although the hotel was demolished, the developers were not obliged to look after the site, because work had not begun.

Councillor David Kingston said that the site had not been made safe, and health and safety could be an issue.

He said: "It seems a little bit bizarre that work has not officially commenced, even though they have demolished the previous building."

But he supported Coun Buckham's motion, adding: "The application is welcome.

"We haven't had many castles built here over the years. It could be something quite special "It's well-designed, it looks to be good quality and it brings back into use a derelict building."

Councillor Geoff Mowbray, who visited the site before the meeting, said: "I'm very pleased to see this development, but I really sympathise about the mess it's been left in."

Mr Townsend said that council staff would visit the site soon to see if any steps could be taken to clean up the site before work starts.