A LARGE-SCALE proposal for more than 350 homes, a care home and assisted living complex in Sedgefield has been rejected by councillors.

Durham County Council’s planning committee today (July 26) unanimously voted against the major mixed-use development plan for land near Sedgefield Community College.

Councillors followed a recommendation to refuse the application on the grounds that it would be a significant incursion on the open countryside on a site of “potentially high” archaeological value.

The proposal for the site to the east of the college and to the north and south of Butterwick Road, was met with a wave of opposition including 188 letters of objection from members of the public.

Concerns raised covered issues from the impact on the landscape, drainage, traffic and infrastructure.

Three objectors spoke at the meeting at County Hall, in Durham, as well as a representative of the applicant, ESRG Security.

Councillors labelled the scheme as “inappropriate” and voiced concerns over the scale of the development - which was claimed could bring about a potential 22 per cent rise in the town’s population.

Cllr John Clare said: “I’ve always agreed that a town has to grow and you can’t stand still, but that growth has to be appropriate.”