COUNCILLORS have rejected two planning applications for housing developments in a historic village.

Permission was refused for plans to develop separate sites in the north Durham village of Lanchester.

Durham County Council’s planning committee knocked back a scheme for 52 Barratt David Wilson homes near the Roman fort of Longovicium on land west of Briardene.

As well as 371 letters of protest from members of the public, objections had been received from Historic England, Lanchester Parish Council, the Friends of Longovicium and Segedunum, the Campaign to Protect Rural Lanchester, the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Northumberland, Lanchester Dairies, and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Senior planning officer Steve France advised members to refuse the plan.

He said: “Significant concern is raised for damage to the unaltered landscape and the integrity of the Roman Fort, a tourist attraction, and its setting, with the importance of the fort, its setting and the surrounding archaeological remains contended not properly assessed in the application nor capable of mitigation in the development.”

Concerns about the overdevelopment of the village, the increased pressure on the amenities and flooding risk were also cited in his report.

Speakers from Lanchester Parish Council and Lanchester Partnership spoke in opposition to the plan.

In support of the application, a statement from Barratt David Wilson said: “The site would benefit from access to all of the existing amenities in Lanchester, within walking distance and as such would represent a sustainable location.

“The development of the site offers a genuine opportunity to create a sustainable living environment where the wider objectives of reducing car journeys can be met.”

Members of the community concerned about any increases in housing in Lanchester are still waiting to hear the outcome of the public inquiry following the appeal by Story Homes, which wants to build around 150 houses in the village.

But planning committee chairman Carl Marshall said all applications would be judged individually on their merits.

Planning officer Steve France had recommended the Beavertail application for 14 houses on land at The Paddock for approval but that too was rejected by members.

Councillor Jim Cordon said: “I am delighted I am not a neighbour near this development. The disruption to the harmony people would face is unacceptable.”