BUSINESS leaders have called on the Government to back a council’s ambitious growth plan, after it was “ridiculed” by an independent assessor.

Planning Inspector Harold Stephens slammed Durham County Council’s 20-year economic blueprint the County Durham Plan (CDP) as flawed, unrealistic and unsound; but the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles calling on him to intervene and rescue the strategy.

NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham hopes to secure urgent talks with the Conservative minister to make his case.

He said: “By creating an ambitious plan and vision for the future, Durham County Council has made a clear statement that it is open for business; a statement that we fully support.

“The Inspector’s report, by ridiculing these ambitions, seeks to condemn the North East to a future of low growth and aspiration.

“This flies in the face of the Government’s desire to stimulate growth in the North and to create a more sustainable, balanced economy.”

Following a business summit called by Sir John Hall yesterday (Wednesday, February 25), a second protest letter is being circulated between the region’s executives for support.

However, CDP critics have hit back, with Roger Cornwell, from the City of Durham Trust, accusing the council of “playing the man not the ball” in attacking Mr Stephens during a County Hall debate on Wednesday and saying none of the business leaders showed their support “when they would have counted”, during 2013’s formal consultation.

“The council brought this disaster on itself. Opposition groups put forward reasonable alternatives that the council should have evaluated, but failed to do so,” Mr Cornwell said.

The CDP aims for 30,000 new jobs by 2030, with 31,400 new homes, extra retail and employment space and two major bypasses.

Critics say it is way over the top and would destroy the Green Belt.

Jonathan Elmer, from the Green Party, said it was time the council paid attention to the views of the electorate, rather than seeking to rally support from big business and housebuilders.

Brandon Lewis MP, the planning minister, said the Government wanted to see widely supported and up-to-date Local Plans in place but they “must set an appropriate strategy, based on robust evidence, and respect important protections in national policy such as for the Green Belt”.

“It is now for Durham council to determine how to proceed towards an appropriate and democratic approach in their Local Plan, which could include undertaking further work in support of their strategy,” he added.

The council is currently considering its next move.

The Planning Inspectorate declined to comment.