COUNCILLORS will debate controversial plans to build up to 120 homes on farmland next week (Wednesday, September 2).

Residents of Sherburn Village, near Durham are fighting to stop a new housing estate being created on 13 acres of agricultural land between Mill Lane and South Street.

More than 100 have written to Durham County Council to object to a planning application from the landowner, the Church Commissioners for England.

They say the scheme would mean green space would be lost, views of Durham’s World Heritage Site would be compromised, the village infrastructure would not cope and access to and from the site would be unsafe.

Sherburn, Belmont and Shadforth parish councils have all objected, along with county councillor Bill Kellett and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Campaigners wanted the issue delayed until the future of the County Durham Plan, which lists the site for possible development, is resolved.

Three letters of support have been filed, saying Sherburn needs more affordable homes. Up to 24 affordable homes would be included in the estate.

The Church Commissioners says Sherburn is a sustainable village and access to the estate would be safe, pointing out that the council’s highways department has not objected.

The application is for outline permission, including access details.

The matter will be decided by a council planning committee sitting at County Hall, Durham on Wednesday, September 2 at 1pm. The meeting is open to the public.

Planning officers are recommending it be approved, concluding that the objections “would not outweigh the planning judgement in favour of the proposed development”.

Developers would have to contribute up to £157,000 to local schools and £1,000 per dwelling for open or recreational space.