THE final decision on a housing development bid will rest with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Durham Estates' application for planning approval to build 33 homes off Lyons Avenue, Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring, sparked a petition against the plan signed by 55 people. There were also 11 further letters of objection.
Opponents were worried about the potential impact and danger of traffic which would be generated by the development.
Although the application will go before Sunderland City Council, as the local planning authority, its ultimate fate rests with deputy prime minister John Prescott's department, due to the size of the proposed site.
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