VILLAGERS are furious that plans have been approved to build 20 flats on the site of a former bus depot.

When proposals were revealed to build executive flats on the site of a former coach repair depot in Kimblesworth, it provoked objections by residents, who claimed it would add to traffic problems.

An initial bid by developers BJ Walton Building Contractors to build 22 flats was refused because the buildings were too high and there were concerns about the increase in traffic.

The Newcastle-based firm returned to Chester-le-Street District Council with plans for a building that is 8.5metres high, instead of ten metres and contained two less flats.

The Highways Authority did not raise any objections and felt the roads could accommodate the additional traffic. BJ Walton also submitted a traffic report produced by independent transport engineers. The survey looked at traffic in the village during the evening, when residents were most likely to be at home, and on a Saturday afternoon when a cricket match was being played at the Kimblesworth ground.

It concluded the extra traffic generated would be insignificant and that the area had managed to cope when coaches travelled to and from the depot on Elm Crescent.

But campaigners claim the survey should have been carried out when the traffic was at its most problematic, during first team cricket matches.

They say at other times the traffic through the village is so bad that a local bus company had to cut back its service to Durham because of the difficulties the drivers encountered.

Addressing the council planning meeting on Monday, resident Margaret Ludkin said: "The survey was conducted on Saturday 22nd of June, when most of the associated cricket traffic would be away with the first team. The other survey was made during the one evening when local residents' would be parked at home.

"This survey was not done during peak times, which would include school runs, when there is traffic generated by Kimblesworth Industrial estate and deliveries made to the care home."

Residents had sent a petition to the council against the plans and North-West Durham MP Kevan Jones sent a letter highlighting the villagers' concerns.

Resident Julie Burnham said after the meeting: "We're appalled by the decision."