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Eco-village gets go-ahead

Durham County Council has backed plans for the redevelopment of the old cement works at Eastgate into a renewable energy village.

The new site is hoped to address the continued decline of Weardale and transform the run down Brownfield site to a sustainable working visitor attraction.

The Chair of Weardale Task Force, John Hamilton, has described the decision as a “major milestone” in the development of the eco village, which will use renewable energy to power its facilities.

He said: “This decision is a landmark moment and we are delighted. The plans will see 150 jobs created from business investment and a further 200 within the hospitality sector.

“Weardale is in a spiral of social and economic decline. This is a real opportunity to reverse the Dale’s decline and presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to provide for the next generation.”

It is now in the Government’s hands to decide whether the application has to be ‘called in’ by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon John Denham MP.

If the application is not called in, the Task force behind the scheme will have to submit a detailed planning application, but it is confident work can begin on the site in 2011.

Councillor Neil Foster, DCC Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration, said: “This project will create jobs and vital investment in both business and housing in a rural area in great need.

“It’s very important that this is a sustainable project, offering long-term and environmentally friendly games to the economy and workforce.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .