Proposals turn a bodyshop into a new car showroom have hit a hitch after councillors suggested the dealer should relocate elsewhere.

Stoneacre applied to Durham County Council for permission to turn its bodyshop in Sawmills Lane, Brandon, into a new car showroom to enable it to operate seperate showrooms for its existing Kia and Suzuki franchises on the site.

But the council's planning committee has unanimously turned it down, despite being advised to approve it by their planning officers who noted it was a long established business with an acceptable proposal.

Committee members suggested the business, set in a residential area, has outgrown its property and the car dealer group should relocate it to avoid further parking problems, reports the Northern Echo.