PLANNERS have admitted that they are going to have to revise a scheme for the regeneration of a dales town market place following protests from residents and traders.

The move follows a lengthy consultation exercise carried out into the proposed £250,000 facelift for the centre of Wolsingham, in Weardale.

Today, officers of Durham County Council and Wear Valley District Council will meet to discuss a document containing the views of residents, traders, police, and other bodies about the scheme.

Rod Lugg, head of the design and conservation unit at Durham County Council, said they would have to change their minds about several key proposals in the original plan. These involve the introduction of a one-way traffic system alongside shops in the market place, allowing greater pedestrian access.

Mr Lugg said: "The implication is that if we go ahead with this, it will only cause other traffic problems in the area, so it's likely we will retain the present two-way system."

Following objections from the Showmen's Guild, which stages an annual fair in Wolsingham market place, it was probable that a number of trees planned for the area would be reduced.

Mr Lugg said they had discovered several other problems highlighted by more than 300 residents and business people. These included what he described as "rat runs" in back streets - routes drivers took to avoid the market place, and severe parking problems in these streets.