TWO proposals for children's play units in Newton Aycliffe look likely to be turned down.

Darren and Andrea Peckett have applied to Sedgefield Borough Council to establish play facilities on the town's industrial estate.

One application is for a soft play facility on the Heighington Lane Business Park. The other is to convert a unit on Durham Way South.

A business plan states the facility would create employment for about 25 people.

The couple acknowledge the units they want to convert are on popular industrial sites. But the business plan says: "In a time when the economical foundations of the country have moved away from engineering and manufacturing, the industrial parks need to become more diverse in the businesses they welcome."

It says: "We feel that the parents and children living within South Durham are severely disadvantaged by the lack of children's play and adventure facilities such as the one proposed."

Both applications will be discussed by Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee on Friday, when planning officers will recommend they are rejected.

Planning officials say the Heighington Lane site is not suitable for a soft play facility.

They say the Durham Way South site would only be suitable for non-industrial uses if they are servicing employees.