COUNCILLORS will vote next week on plans to knock down 1970s bungalows and replace them with new social housing.

Cestria Community Housing wants to demolish 36 empty bungalows on a 1.3 hectare site near Vicarage Close and The Garth in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street and build 21 bungalows and 16 semi-detached houses in their place.

All of the properties would be managed by Cestria Housing and be available for rent.

Access to the new properties would be from Vicarage Close or Elwin Place, while nearby highways and footpaths would also be renovated into private gardens and public open spaces.

Cestria Housing claimed in their application statement that the development would deliver a series of economic, social and environmental benefits, and meet the needs and demands of the area’s elderly population by replacing poor quality, predominantly vacant housing stock with more comfortable modern homes.

They said: “The proposed development will result in the creation of additional construction jobs which will be created across the supply chain. The proposal will result in the delivery of a highly sustainable development with all properties completed to level three of the code for sustainable homes.”

The application is being recommended for approval, subject to a £16,000 financial contribution from Cestria to improve play facilities in the area and a number of planning conditions.

Members of Durham County Council’s Area Planning Committee (North) will vote on the application when they meet at County Hall on Thursday.