DEVELOPERS are unveiling plans for housing estates on two sites in south Durham.

Banks Developments is submitting outline planning applications for plots of land in Tow Law and West Cornforth.

The company wants to build 20 houses and a 40-bed nursing home alongside the A68 in Tow Law, in front of its Banks Group offices in Inkerman Road.

The proposals include retaining the offices and improving the access on to the A68.

Residents have been invited to give their views at an exhibition in Tow Law Community Centre.

Banks Group representatives will be at the centre between 10am and 4pm today, and 10am and 12.30pm on Friday.

In West Cornforth, the company has drawn up plans for 154 houses, 12 apartments in two separate buildings and a public open space based around the C24 road.

The five-hectare site is used as a depot and offices by the Banks Group and Kier, which is currently looking at options for relocation. Work could start in 2008.

Plans can be viewed tomorrow between 3pm and 7pm in West Cornforth Community Centre.

Justin Hancock, development planner at the Banks Group, expects the project to benefit the local community.

He said: "The proposed scheme will bring under-used industrial land back into use where it might otherwise fall vacant, and will also bring significant investment into the village.

"The range of new housing being proposed will also meet a variety of needs, encouraging new people into the area who will in turn support local shops, schools and services."