RESIDENTS of an east Durham community will have the chance to shape a masterplan for the future of their area at a series of events.

Durham County Council is hosting the sessions as part of a consultation on its masterplan for the 'numbered streets’ of Horden, near Peterlee.

The plan outlines a number of possible options for the future of housing and the environment in the area and is based on feedback given by residents during an earlier public consultation held last year.

Councillor Kevin Shaw, cabinet member for strategic housing and assets, said: “We asked residents what they liked about their area and what they wanted to see improved and the feedback they provided has been fundamental in shaping the masterplan for the area.

“In order to ensure residents continue to play a key role in how the area develops, we have now come up with a number of possible options for the future of Horden and, in particular, the numbered streets so that people can tell us what they think would work best.

“The options we have outlined are only possible if we are able to secure additional funding from central government so we will also be using the document as evidence and we are urgently seeking a meeting with the housing minister to present our case.”

A public exhibition will take place at Horden Social Welfare Centre, in Seventh Street, between 1pm and 7pm on Tuesday.

Drop-in sessions will also take place on the following days at the One Point Family Centre, Ocean View, on Tuesday June 11, from 9.30am to 12.30pm; Horden Colliery Residents’ Association, Welfare Centre, Seventh Street, on Tuesday, 18 June, from 5pm to 7pm; at the Horden Hub House, on Thursday June 20, from 9am to noon and at the Horden Youth and Community Centre, on Thursday June 27, from 10am to 1pm.

Anyone who is unable to attend a consultation event can provide their feedback by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/consultation between today and Thursday July 4.

They can also email the project team at hordenmasterplan@durham.gov.uk