A PROPOSAL to develop an agricultural site near Byers Green for housing was knocked back by councillors.

Pillar Three Developments Ltd applied to Durham County Council for outline planning permission for up to 22 houses on 1.25 hectares, south of Byers Green House.

The indicative plan showed a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom houses, accessed from unclassified Church Street.

Senior planning officer Laura Eden recommended refusal of the application when it went before the area planning committee (south and west) on Thursday.

She said whilst it would bring benefits, such as new housing and construction jobs, it would have a significant adverse impact on the countryside and, sitting 270m outside of the village which has limited amenities, could not be considered sustainable.

The applicant's agent Anton Lang argued the location was sustainable, being inside the signs for Byers Green and with two bus stops nearby, and said a huge amount of section 106 money would benefit the community.

Councillor John Shuttleworth said villages need to be allowed to expand but members largely agreed this plan was inappropriate.

Cllr John Clare said: "We're in danger of plonking modern, suburban housing in a field in the countryside."

Members voted for refusal.