THE biggest housing project for more than a decade in Barnard Castle will face 21 objections when it is considered for planning consent this week.

George Wimpey wants to build 27 houses and 30 flats in a field beside Montalbo Road.

The company had a proposal for the same site rejected early this year, but has since changed the numbers and layout of the properties and submitted a new application to Teesdale District Council.

It will be considered at a development control committee meeting tomorrow, when planning officer Trevor Watson will recommend approval despite the protests.

Objectors say the scheme will cause traffic problems, will be out of character with the area, has the wrong mix of properties, has too few parking spaces and does not meet the local housing need.

Mr Watson said yesterday that the layout had been changed to make the scheme more suitable and that he felt it would now be acceptable.

He pointed out that outline approval had been given for housing on the site in 1996, so it was now a case of finding a suitable number and style for the properties on the site.

The proposed flats will be in three-storey blocks.

Houses will range from three-bedroomed terraced properties to four-bedroomed detached homes.