A CONTROVERSIAL application to build a new housing estate on the edge of a village has been approved by a casting vote.

 

Persimmon Homes has been given outline planning permission to build 74 houses on a greenfield site next to its existing Fennel Grove development in Easington Village, in the face of overwhelming local objections.

 

A deadlock on Durham County Council’s area planning committee was broken by the vote of chairman Cllr Paul Taylor.

 

A total of 60 letters were submitted to the council opposing the plans, along with a 189-signature petition, a letter from Easington MP Grahame Morris and objections by Easington Village Parish Council. There were 14 letters of support.

 

There were concerns about an an increase in traffic in the area, as well as pressure on schools and GP surgeries.

 

Developers initially wanted to build 80 homes on the site, but scaled back the application during negotiations.

 

The final application is for a range of two, three and four bedroom homes, which would include a mix of terraced, semi and detached properties. Seven of the homes would be classed as “affordable housing”.

 

Persimmon said the development “offers the opportunity to create a new, modern, sustainable and desirable residential development within the Easington area” and would “form a coherent extension” to the village.

 

Principal planning officer Sarah Eldridge recommended approval saying “there are no significant adverse impacts that would outweigh the benefits”.

 

She added the site was in a sustainable location, close to local shops and facilities and the layout and design was such that it would not impact on neighbouring homes, while highways officers had raised no objections.

 

Easington ward Cllr David Boyes said told the meeting it was “one housing development too far” for a village “chronically ill equipped to cater for existing parking and traffic”.

 

He said: “In 2013 the county council voted to build 900 houses at the Littlethorpe site.

 

“In addition a further 90 houses at the old council offices site were approved. And there are a further 100 homes in the pipeline and now a further 64 houses, which would lead to some 1,300 to 1,400 houses. Well that’s just not fair.”