A PROPOSAL to build 300 homes in Sedgefield has been given the go ahead by the Planning Inspectorate following two rejections from the county council.

Story Homes and the Durham Diocesan Board of Finance appealed the latest decision made by Durham County Council (DCC) in April over the plans for land to the south of Eden Drive.

This week the applicants won outline planning permission for up to 220 homes and full permission for 80 properties on appeal.

Having already been the subject of 238 letters of objections earlier this year, the decision has been met with frustration.

Sarah Guest, a member Sedgefield Village Action Group (SVAG), said: “We’re very disappointed and feel a bit of a disservice has been done. It is too big a development for that site. They talk about how localism and communities matter but we don’t seem to have been listened to. It’s designated green wedge land and they have given that up. That makes the arguments for other developers easier and puts the ball in their court.”

The announcement this week follows a six-day inquiry by planning inspector John Braithwaite held at Sedgefield Racecourse in August, where SVAG was granted permission to make representations.

DCC turned the latest plan down on the grounds the development would cause harm to the character and setting of Sedgefield.

Both the council and SVAG argued the site could be regarded as “valued landscape.”

However, the inspector found the land was not in an area designated for its scenic value or character, adding: “The appeal site has value but is not a valued landscape. The proposed development would have a profound effect on the character of the site but would not have any significant adverse effect on the character or visual amenity of the wider area.”

It also dismissed concerns over the area’s economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The application, which has been given the green light subject to conditions, will comprise houses with two, three, four and five bedrooms, some bungalows and ten per cent affordable housing provision.

It will be accessed by a road between Stockton Road and the A689, and a new arm will be formed at the roundabout on the A689.

Sarah Armstrong, of Story Homes said: “We are very pleased that the Planning Inspector has recognised the quality of our proposals in resolving to approve the appeal and grant planning permission.The scheme will create employment opportunities for local contractors and bring further economic benefits to Sedgefield.”