FRESH consultation on village regeneration got under way after the scrapping of a controversial blueprint that could have seen many homes demolished.

Derwentside District Council has hired consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners to seek the views of people in South Moor, New Kyo, Craghead and Quaking Houses.

The council went back to the drawing board after overwhelming opposition to its previous proposals in a bid, with English Partnerships, for funding to tackle perceived problems with the housing market in the former colliery communities.

Consultation events at New Kyo and Quaking Houses at the weekend attracted more than 200 people.

Rick Elliott, of the company, said: "We have been very pleased with the turnout in Quaking Houses. It was about a third of the community, which is very high. I hope this continues at the other events we are holding.

"We are working very closely with the idea of what local people want. We are taking great pains to make sure we understand the issues and come up with ideas for resolving the problems in each of the communities separately.''

He said that in Quaking Houses people had raised issues such as "unsightly'' overhead power lines and on-street parking in the main street.

"In Quaking Houses, they are saying forcefully that there is a very strong community spirit, and that it is a very nice place to live, but there are problems with the appearance of the main road,'' he said.

Mr Elliott added that the consultation was not just about changes to the physical environment, but would look at things such as tackling anti-social behaviour.

The next sessions are at The Punch Bowl, Craghead, on Wednesday, between 3pm and 8pm, and at South Moor Park Road Methodist Church, on Thursday, at the same times, and everyone is welcome.