CONTROVERSIAL housing plans which could increase the population of a village by ten per cent have been rejected by councillors.

More than 100 people wrote to object to Toft Hill Ltd’s application to build up to 100 new houses on farmland to the north of the A68 and the south of Holme Farm in the village.

The developer was seeking outline permission for the homes and access, with all other matters reserved.

But the objectors said the development would be unsustainable, claiming Toft Hill’s limited amenities are already insufficient and the bus service was unreliable.

They also expressed fears over increased traffic and the loss of greenspace, with many of their concerns echoed by planning officers who recommended the scheme for refusal.

Yesterday, Durham County Council’s south and west area planning committee met in Spennymoor council offices to determine the application.

The applicant’s agent said steps had been taken to address residents’ concerns, including the retention of a layby on the A68.

He said the extra households would provide a boost to local amenities, preventing further closures, and pointed out how Bishop Auckland and Tindale Crescent were just a few miles away.

“Toft Hill is classed as a medium-sized village with 922 dwellings and a population of 2026,” he said.

“It is the third largest medium -ized village in County Durham and the largest medium-sized village in the south of the county.

“This development would only result in a ten per cent increase in the size of the settlement.”

However, the agent’s speech did not convince members of the committee.

Vice chairman, Councillor John Clare, said: “ A ten per cent increase in size sounds huge to me.

“I don’t think that is a small amount at all so I am not swayed by the argument.

“This takes me back to the officer’s point about the impact of this development on the village, which would be huge.”

Councillor George Richardson, agreed with Cllr Clare and proposed the application should be refused.

“I’ve listened to the planning officer and I know the area and the how busy the road is,” he said.

“I don’t see anyway forward for this one.”

Committee chairman, Councillor Henry Nicholson, called for a show of hands and councillors voted unanimously to reject the application.