A HOUSING estate development in the countryside has been refused over fears it would join two neighbouring communities together.

Bellway Homes Ltd had applied for planning permission to build 134 new homes on farmland between Seaham and the nearby village of Dalton-le-Dale.

But members of Durham County Council’s County Planning committee unanimously voted to refuse the application after hearing fears that the development would effectively merge both communities.

The company wanted to develop a nine-and-a-half hectare site bordering on Seaham’s Dalton Heights estate and the A19, with a mixture of two, three and four bed properties on half the site and parkland on the remainder.

Caroline Strugnell, from Bellway Homes, told the meeting at County Hall that the development would create an estimated 78 construction jobs over a four-year period and would be worth more than £13 million to the local economy.

She said: “We feel this development would help meet the clearly identified need for mid-market family homes in Seaham.

“While the development would narrow the gap between Seaham and Dalton-le-Dale, there would be no actual coalescence, the gap would remain at more than 270 metres."

However, 82 residents wrote to oppose the application, along with MP Graeme Morris, local councillors, Seaham Town Council, Dalton-le-Dale Parish Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Councillors were told that a 1997 application for 80 homes on the same site was rejected over fears that the two settlements would merge into one.

Stan Cudlip of Dalton-le-Dale Action Group, told members: “We contend this will have a detrimental impact on Dalton-le-Dale and Seaham.

“It almost merges the two settlements and means Dalton-le-Dale will lose its own individuality and pride."

Sharon Richardson, of Dalton-le-Dale Parish Council, said: “I would like to thank Bellway for making our community stronger and more united than it was before.

“This application has brought people together in a united cause and has shown us the depth of feeling in our community against this development.”

Bob Fletcher, of Seaham Town Council, added: “Durham County Council and Seaham Town Council have worked hard in regenerating the town of Seaham and it is important to protect what makes it so beautiful.

“The approach to the town is attractive and exciting and allowing development into the countryside here means this would be destroyed, this attractive approach would be lost forever.

“Seaham needs more tourism, not ad hoc housing.”

Members of the committee voted unanimously to reject the application.