PROTESTERS were disappointed to hear that a housing development might yet go ahead, after believing they had been successful in halting it in its present form.

Objectors to the Wimpey Homes scheme, involving 27 houses and 30 flats at Montalbo Road in Barnard Castle, were delighted when the application was turned down by Teesdale District Council planning south committee two weeks ago.

But the authority later announced that the decision would not be formally adopted until the matter had been brought up at a special meeting of the full council called for Wednesday. The council's monitoring officer, Mike Dennis, and planning officer, Trevor Watson, who had recommended approval of the application, decided it would be wrong to act on the decision, arrived at by a 4-3 named vote, at this stage.

Mr Watson said he had enough concerns to warrant raising the matter again. He has always maintained that the density of the site is correct, and had warned the planning south committee of the "catastrophic consequences" of rejecting the application.

His recommendation was based on his interpretation of the scheme's merits and he said there was no valid planning reason for turning it down.

Mr Dennis told the D&S Times that a report he would present to Wednesday's meeting was put together at the request of officers and was not a members' initiative.

"It addresses the concerns we have regarding the decision that was taken at the planning south committee," he said. "We have taken advice from a number of experts and are satisfied that the action we are proposing is correct."

Members will hear his report behind closed doors, but,if they agree to reconsider the application, then that will be heard in public.

However, the press and public will then be excluded for a second time as Wimpey's forthcoming appeal is debated.

Asked by the D&S Times if meeting in camera might be seen by some as putting pressure on councillors to approve the application because of the cost implications should they lose at appeal, Mr Dennis said: "That has been one of the suggestions made to me."

Dr Pam Grunwell, who represented objectors at the planning south committee, was dismayed that councillors were in effect being overruled.

She remains convinced that the density and design of the development is wrong for the site and will speak at Wednesday's meeting to put the case again