A plan to build 27 homes on a former industrial estate in a wider scheme for more than 400 houses has been approved.
Developer Lovell Homes applied to build the 27 homes - a mix of one-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom houses - off Vyners Close, Spennymoor.
It used to be the site of J Mitchinson on the Merrington Lane Industrial Estate, near the A688.
No responses were received to Durham County Council's public notices about the plan.
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Senior planning officer Laura Eden said: "The building that formerly occupied the site has been cleared and a number of restoration works have been completed by Homes England.
"The overall acceptability of the scheme has been considered.
"It lies within the built-up area for Spennymoor. It represents a more compatible use of land. Formerly it was industrial. Houses next to houses make more sense.
"In conclusion it's considered that the proposals are acceptable and the application is recommended for approval."
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The 0.7-hectare site is next to the former Electrolux site, which has planning permission in principle for up to 425 homes and commercial use.
A detailed planning application for 100 homes in the first phase of that larger plan is to be considered soon.
Councillor Craig Martin, on the planning committee considering the proposals, asked for more detail on what would be added apart from homes.
He said: "It's part of a much wider and larger housing development.
"It does almost look like it could be a village on its own.
"I would just hope to hear that it's not just going to be block housing."
James Hall, agent for the developer, said: "Whilst this is an application for 27 dwellings, it's part of the larger former Electrolux site.
"That's a mixed use development of up to 425 development and commercial uses.
"We were just talking about the potential for a small food shop coming down the line, and open space, recreation. There's a small linear park through the site."
Cllr Peter Molloy said: "I'm a member for Spennymoor and this is adjacent to my ward.
"I haven't received any objections or support.
"Spennymoor has got a lot of housing development going on in the town.
"I can't see any objection to using that brownfield site up for housing and hopefully with future developments a lot more affordable housing will come, because that's what's really needed in the town."
The plan was approved with conditions, including a "Section 106" legal agreement for the developer to pay towards public services.
This will be almost £57,000 in total - £43,930 towards open space and recreation in Tudhoe, £13,041 for GP surgery capacity - and five affordable homes.
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