A COUNCIL'S decision to allow a housing development in Barnard Castle brought an angry response from residents yesterday.

Members of the public heckled Teesdale district councillors as they discussed an application by Riverdale Homes to build four houses in Barnard Castle.

People are angry about plans to build three-storey houses at the rear of Galgate, close to their homes in Mayfield.

They are concerned at the site access, the appearance of the homes, possible damage to nearby sycamore trees during building work and the likely increase in traffic.

Speaking for the residents at the meeting, Martin Irving, who lives on Mayfield, said: "Four houses in that location, each of which is three-storeys high, will be out of character in what is a spacious area.

"It will also mean a loss of privacy.

"People who have lived there for a number of years have seen animals grazing on that site which would lead us to believe it is a greenfield site not a brownfield site."

But planning officer Andrew Bishop told members of the development control south committee that there was no solid evidence that any animals had grazed on the land, and that the Highways Authority was happy with access proposals.

Speaking against the proposal, Councillor Richard Betton said: "Personally, I'm totally against the urbanisation of market towns, and this is very definitely urbanisation of this area.

"If urbanisation of our towns and villages is something we care about, then we should turn this down."

Councillor David Armstrong, who was heckled as he spoke, said: "We could glibly turn this down and let it go to appeal, which would be the coward's way out. We lost the last two appeals at considerable cost and I can't see any reason to reject this proposal."

David Harper, contracts manager for Riverdale Homes, said he would speak with residents to discuss their concerns.