CONCERNS have been expressed over plans to build 88 new homes on the outskirts of a village.

Dozens of residents turned up to a public consultation held by Miller Homes on Wednesday to voice their concerns over their proposal to build houses on a green field site on School Aycliffe Lane, between School Aycliffe and Newton Aycliffe.

The site is located just inside the Borough of Darlington, with the developer hoping to build a mixture of two to five-bedroom properties, including affordable housing and family homes.

However, it received mixed views at the drop-in event at the town’s Oak Leaf Sports Complex as residents aired their concerns about traffic and house prices.

Several residents also pointed out that while the project would fall into the Darlington Borough Council zone and therefore fulfil their quota for new homes; the new residents would most likely be using facilities in the Durham County Council area which could potentially put pressure on them.

One resident of the nearby Hawthorns Drive estate, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s purely selfish. I cannot stop progress but I just feel having lived here for 14 years that there’s enough houses here and there’s plenty for sale and I think there’s better places to build than on a green belt.”

Resident Margaret Lee added: “This proposal says it’s fulfilling Darlington’s commitment to build houses but it’s not in Darlington; the people are not going to be using the facilities of Darlington like schools and GPs it’s all going to impact over here.”

Claire Bourn attended the meeting with her daughter, Anna-Claire Lee and both expressed concerns over the potential for about 200 more cars coming in and out of the site, especially as Mrs Lee has to cross School Lane to put her five-year-old son on the school bus every morning.

Neil Armour, of Miller Homes, said the company were keen to hear feedback while planning consultant Nathaniel Lichfield, said the company would be looking to submit a planning application to Durham County Council next month in the hope of starting work in the spring if the plans were approved.