PLANS to build up to 161 new homes on the outskirts of a town have been recommended for approval despite concerns about access and overstretched amenities.

Story Homes’ plans to build on farmland to the south-east of Ferryhill will be determined by Durham County Council’s county planning committee next Tuesday

The developer initially sought permission to build up 141 homes and a retail store on the 11-hectare site near Dean Road but withdrew the latter from the application after concerns were raised about the impact on the town centre. The maximum number of houses was also increased to 161, with the site once part of a wider allocation for up 200 dwellings in the now withdrawn County Durham Plan.

Story Homes believes the scheme would provide much need housing, including affordable homes, and would contribute to the regeneration of Ferryhill.

“In economic terms, the development will create approximately 650 full and part-time jobs and £2.5 million in council tax receipts and New Homes Bonus,” the applicant continued.

“In addition, the scheme will deliver further benefits that will be secured through a S106 agreement which will include ten per cent affordable housing, £213,480 towards open space and sporting provision, £45,135 towards highway infrastructure capacity improvements, £36,200 towards cycle network infrastructure in the area and £33,000 for offsite ecological mitigation.”

The council has received three letters of support and 19 letters of objection. Ferryhill Town Council, Ferryhill Community Partnership, Dene Bank Residents Association, Ferryhill Community Action Group and Councillor Brian Avery have also spoken out against the scheme.

Access to the site is a key concerns, with the developer seeking to create a priority T Junction onto the A167 with a protected right hand turn. The Highways Authority has raised no objections but believes a roundabout would bring greater benefits.

However, the objectors maintain this would be dangerous due to the volume and speed of traffic on the A167.

Other concerns include the loss of farmland and pressure on schools, surgeries and other amenities.

Recommending the scheme for approval, planning officer Steven Pilkington said: “Concerns expressed regarding the proposal have been taken into account, and carefully balanced against the scheme’s wider social, economic and community benefits.”