PLANS to demolish a disused pub and build a shop and offices in its place have been hailed as a boost to a former pit village.

The Cooperage, on the A177 in Durham Road, Bowburn, has been boarded up for some time, but J A Property Ltd have now won planning permission to redevelop the prominent site in the village’s conservation area.

The firm says its plan could create at least 15 jobs in the retail space alone and help to meet the need for local shops in the village.

Durham County Council’s Central and East area planning committee heard that a 21-space car park will be created and that the office will be built above the shop.

The two-storey building’s design has been amended significantly since it was first proposed.

Councillors heard a letter supporting the scheme said that a new building would be a more relevant and beneficial addition to the community.

Bowburn and Parkhill Community Partnership and Cassop cum Quarrington Parish Council said that the revised design would be more sympathetic to the character of the Bowburn Conservation Area.

The parish council raised concerns over parking, access and deliveries to the store and a letter of concern was sent by a neighbour worried about being disturbed during work on site.

John White, agent for the development , told councillors that a long time had been spent working up proposals that would fit in with the character of the Conservation Area.

Local councillors Jan Blakey Mac Williams told the committee they were concerned about parking at the development and the impact of increasing traffic hold-ups after changes to the road leading to the A1(M).

Cllr Blakey said: “I am not against the development as such, it is the highways I have issues with.”

Cllr John Lethbridge said that he believed it was a good development for Bowburn that would replace an old pub that now looked “sad and forlorn”.

Principal planning officer Tim Burnham said he and his colleagues “consider that the development proposed represents a good opportunity to bring the site back into use and provide valuable jobs, retail and office space in a sustainable location within Bowburn. “

He added that the scheme was considered acceptable and would not adversely affect the conservation area.

The committee voted unanimously to grant permission.