VILLAGERS have been left angered after councillors ignored an officer recommendation to approved plans to build 27 houses on farmland.

Concerns that the development site – half of which is in a conservation area – would erode the identity of Middleton St George were not strong enough to persuade all the members Darlington Borough Council's planning committee to refuse the scheme.

Almost 30 objections were submitted to the committee about the proposed housing development, on Middleton Lane, and council planning officers agreed the site was unsuitable for housing.

Applicant Jack Havakin is proposing to use traditional materials to reflect nearby buildings for the development which includes six properties earmarked for affordable housing and the rental market.

Emma Speight, a director of social landlord North Star Housing Group, said the development would bring much-needed affordable housing into the village.

Opposing the application, ward councillor Doris Jones said: "We are more than happy to work with North Star to build affordable housing but this site, in a conservation area, in the right place for it."

Committee chairman Cllr Paul Baldwin proposed going against the officer recommendation and the application was passed with six votes to three.

Members of the public reacted angrily to the decision and shouted "disgrace" as they left the meeting at Darlington town hall.