CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing estate on farm land is to be discussed by a parish council.

Middridge Parish Council will meet in the village hall tonight, at 6.45pm, where it will discuss the proposals by Theakstons Estates for land at High Thickley Farm, Shildon.

Residents in bungalows at nearby High Thickley Park have already vowed to fight the plans for 270 homes, which planning consultants describe as "high quality, energy-efficient and well-designed houses."

The residents say that the plans would exacerbate traffic problems in Spout Lane and Middridge and ruin views.

Concerns have also been expressed that the development would be too close to Middridge, meaning that both the town and the village would lose their respective identities.

As well as the houses in the scheme, developers have promised the creation of informal recreation areas, landscaping and woodland.

The project is going through the consultation process and planning permission has not yet been applied for.

Chris Harrison from Nathaniel, Lichfield and Partners, which is acting on behalf of Theakstons, said the company would be taking on board comments from residents in Shildon and Middridge.

Villagers are welcome to attend this evening's meeting.