TWO houses will be built on a pub car park to help fund the renovation of the Grade II listed coaching inn.

The Hope Inn, on Front Street, Sedgefield, is currently shut and the condition of the building and its grounds have started to deteriorate.

At a meeting of Durham County Council’s area planning committee (south and west), held in Spennymoor on Thursday, July 23, councillors approved a proposal that will bring it back into use.

J A Property Ltd secured planning permission to use a grassed area in the car park behind the pub to build two semi-detached houses.

Two trees will be felled to make way for the houses, which will be accessed through the car park where nine spaces for customers will be retained.

The sale of the houses will facilitate work on the pub which will include refurbishment and a kitchen extension so it can be converted into a restaurant, which was also given planning and listed building consent.

Councillors had visited the site before the meeting and, approving it, said the development should enhance the village conservation area.