PROPOSED amendments to conservation areas in several County Durham villages will be discussed by councillors next week.

County council cabinet members are being asked to approve changes in boundaries for the Bishop Middleham, Lartington, Mickleton, Staindrop and Trimdon Village Conservation Areas.

Members are also being asked to continue to support the programme of consultation in these areas in order to ensure that the views of local people are taken into account.

The proposals aim to improve and manage change in the historic areas.

Sandra Robertson, heritage, landscape and design team leader at Durham County Council, said: “The main purpose is to make sure that the unique characteristics and important historic features of all of our conservation areas are better understood and preserved.”

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, added: “Each conservation area is different and it’s important that we carry out these appraisals to ensure our understanding is up to date and that the people living in them have the chance to have their say.”

There are 93 designated conservation areas in County Durham.

The cabinet meeting, at County Hall, begins at 10am on Tuesday, December 12.