A LONE objector to a council's £56.5m housing regeneration master plan has been asked why she did not raise her concerns earlier.

Helene Labarre is at the centre of a public inquiry into compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) issued by Sedgefield Borough Council.

The council wants to knock down houses in four streets, known as The Rows, in Ferryhill Station, County Durham, to make way for new housing.

Ms Labarre, 42, whose Clive Street home of ten years is among them, has objected to the CPOs, bringing about the inquiry.

As a result, for the second day yesterday, she faced a sevenstrong team fielded by the council and headed by barrister, Ruth Stockley.

Ms Stockley told the inquiry the council's housing master plan was prepared following extensive public consultation.

During cross examination, at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum in Shildon, she asked why Ms Labarre had not taken part.

Ms Labarre said she was unable to attend a public consultation and that she was not offered a home visit until after the master plan was approved.

"Once something has already been approved by cabinet, I don't really think one little voice is going to make a difference," said Ms Labarre.

"I don't see the point in meeting to discuss the proposals just to effectively rubber stamp them."

Ms Stockley said a letter which Ms Labarre said was intended to intimidate objectors could have been "worded better", but some objectors were negotiating with the council before it was sent.

"There is no evidence that any specific objector specifically withdrew their objection solely because of this letter," said Ms Stockley.

Sedgefield's master plan could see more than 400 homes demolished in Chilton, Ferryhill Station and Ferryhill's Dean Bank.

The council hopes to build a more modern mix of housing in its place and says demand for older terraced houses has dropped. As such, the areas have been blighted with antisocial behaviour with many properties vacant and boarded up.

However, Ms Stockley said the council had recognised some residents' wishes to stay in olderstyle housing and is refurbishing a row of terraces on The Rows.

Closing, Ms Stockley said: "We submit that the CPO is ultimately in the public interest because of the need to regenerate this area and it is entirely proportionate in the circumstances."

The fact-finding trip marked the end of a public inquiry into the CPOs issued by Sedgefield Borough Council.

The planning inspector, Anthony Davison, made a factfinding site visit to the threatened streets before the end of the day.

The findings of the inquiry will be published in the next few months.