PLANS to build three detached houses in a Darlington village have been met with opposition.

If approved, the four-bedroom houses would be built in Glebe Road, in Great Stainton, near Sadberge, on land to the side and rear of the Grade II listed Kings Arms pub.

The houses would be reached through a shared drive, with three parking spaces available for each property.

Parking spaces at the nearby pub would be reduced from around 30 to 20.

The proposals, submitted by C G Robinson Ltd, have been met with opposition from more than ten nearby residents, as well as Great Stainton Parish Council.

In a report prepared for Darlington Borough Council’s planning applications committee, one objector said: “Great Stainton already has several houses that have been for sale for well over a year. This indicates there is no market in the village for more houses.”

Other objectors raised concerns that the design of the proposed houses does not fit in with the old fashioned character or the village, and that parking at the pub would be reduced, causing customers to park on the road.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also objected to the plans, saying that the development will result in the loss of open space and will change the character of the village.

They said: “The proposal represents overdevelopment of the site in our opinion. The three properties are very close together and are not well endowed with garden and parking space.

“We are concerned that the amount of car parking allocated within the development will not be adequate as executive type housing is often associated with multi car ownership.”

Planning officers have been recommended to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions, including one stating that no development should take place until details of tree protection measures have been submitted and approved.

The report states: “The proposed development is considered acceptable and will not cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.

“The proposal has no significant impacts in terms of residential amenity. The proposal does not adversely impact on highway safety. No issues are raised in relation to crime prevention.”

The council’s planning applications committee will meet on Wednesday, April 2 at 1.30pm in Darlington Town Hall.