A DEVELOPER is offering to pay for improvements to a sports centre near a proposed estate.

Scottish housebuilder Betts Homes is seeking permission from Durham City Council to build 34 detached homes on the site of the former council depot next to the A690 at Lobley Hill, Meadowfield.

Because it is a high-density development, with no room for any significant open space, the firm is offering the council £13,600 towards improvements to the facilities at Meadowfield Sports Centre.

The council's development control committee will be recommended today to grant the scheme planning permission.

Councillors will be told that there have been no objections to the proposals.

Environmental services corporate director, Neil Smith, said checks would have to be made to see if there was any contamination on the land.

"The traditional inter-war style of housing that is proposed sits well with existing Lobley Hill homes," he said.

"The inclusion of a main road frontage row of units will help blend the development with the rest of the village rather than turning its back on it."

He said the offer of money for improvements at the sports centre accorded with Government planning guidance and would "help offset the absence of play space within the application site".