PLANS for a major housing development in Stanley have been given the green light by councillors.

In July, Durham County Council lodged proposals for up to 110 homes on the former Stanley Community Centre site.

The housing plans are at the outline stage but an indicative layout was submitted for the cleared 3.3 hectare site.

This included a vehicle access from Tyne Road East, new footway links and areas of open space to the north and south of the site. Two replacement car parks were also proposed to the south of the site linked to the sports pitches and nearby South Stanley Infant and Nursery School. A total of 52 spaces would be available to the public outside of school hours.

At a meeting to decide the application this week, Durham County Council’s North Area Planning Committee welcomed the proposals.

Sport England's initial objection over playing fields to the south were withdrawn.

Councillors were told there would be no impact from floodlighting on future residents with plans for acoustic fencing also requested during the ‘reserved matters’ stage of the application.

During consultation, Stanley Learning Partnership also called for reassurance that the access to the estate would not create conflict with emergency vehicles and the school.

Planning officers stated the plans were in a sustainable location and would bring a vacant site back into use, alongside providing 10 per cent affordable housing.

Following discussion, the plans were passed unanimously with the caveat that weekend construction times were amended. The committee eventually settled on a restriction of 9am to 4pm for both external and internal works  on Saturdays.

Final outline approval is subject to an “internal transfer of funds” within the council to reduce the impact of the development. A council report lists contributions as £162,866 towards play facilities in the Stanley division, £53,130 towards healthcare in Stanley and Tanfield and £13,326 towards ecology issues.