RESIDENTS have objected to plans for a major housing development on the edge of their village saying it will lead to their historic settlement being swallowed up by a neighbouring town.

They were reacting to an application to Durham County Council from by Gleeson Regeneration for permission to build 129 two-storey homes on land south of Nursery Gardens on Thorpe Road, Easington Village.

The proposals comes months after Persimmon Homes was granted permission for 74 homes of a greenfield site next to its existing Fennel Grove development in Easington Village.

The Stockton-based Southlands Management has outline planning permission to build up to 900 homes on land north of Lowhills Road, Peterlee.

And the hamlet of Little Thorpe is set to more than double in size with another 29 houses.

Durham county councillor David Boyes, who represents the ward, said: “Resident are concerned these latest plans would mean coalescing with Peterlee.

“It would mean that Easington Village, which has been there for about 1,000 years, would become in effect part of the greater Peterlee.”

He added: “In absence of County Durham plan Easington is seen as a place where people would want to build houses.

“I’m desperate to get some of the housing developers down to Easington Colliery, but they are not tempted down there because of the low land prices.”

A spokesman for Gleeson Homes said: “This £15 million housing project will help to address the major shortfall of new housing required and also help meet demand, providing local people on low incomes the opportunity to own a quality new home at a low cost.

“Our properties can be purchased outright from as little as £49 per week, allowing many to own their own home rather than be stuck in the rent trap.

“This four-year project will also employ local people and help to boost the local economy. The plans have been carefully considered and the site has been selected due to its sustainable location on the edge of Easington.

“We will be offering a number of apprenticeships to young people in the area and we will welcome any contact with school leavers who are interested in working in the building industry.

“Because we also sponsor junior sports teams we look forward to any approaches to us from such teams after planning permission has been granted.”