ALMOST 70 "affordable" homes could be built on a town's former primary school.

Developers have been given permission to develop the land where Eden Community Primary School, in Peterlee, once stood.

The application, by house-builder Galliford Try, proposed 67 properties be built on the site in Robson Avenue, which has been vacant for more than a decade.

The development consists mainly of two-storey dwellings, with 18 single storey bungalows.

Developers gave promised all the homes will be "affordable", with 25 houses available through the "Rent to Buy" scheme.

The remaining 42 properties, which includes 19 bungalows, will be available at an "affordable rent".

Developers have also agreed to stump up more than £170,000 towards added infrastructure.

This would include £50,692.87 for the Durham Coastal Management Plant, £116,203.50 for play facilities in the Peterlee East electoral division and £4,623 for healthcare provision in the area.

Speaking at Tuesday's central and east area planning committee, Cllr John Robinson formally proposed approval for the scheme.

He said: “It’s affordable and there’s no adverse impact from the proposal – what more could we ask for?”

However, concerns were raised about the design of the planned development.

“If it was in my area, at this level of density I would have opposed it,” said Cllr Owen Temple.

“Some of the separation distances are below what we would normally allow.

“I wouldn’t be voting for this application, but I can understand if local members want this and it’s not for me to propose to reject it, but it’s also not for me to vote for it.”

The site has been vacant since August 2008, when the school closed, and all the buildings have since been demolished.

Galliford Try is working with County Durham Housing Group and has said it hopes the first homes ready for occupancy in 2020.