A BIG environmental project to improve a Newton Aycliffe stream has been scrapped.

It was estimated that work on Woodham Burn would cost £100,000 but there were fears about the impact downstream.

Great Aycliffe Town Council clerk Michael Rice said: "We wanted to get some clarification on that issue from a survey report carried out by the Environment Agency, but that is not yet available."

The council also said it would not pay for the work and funding would have to come from grants.

The Northumbrian Water Environment Trust Fund had offered £50,000, but needed a commitment from the council by mid-December last year.

Because the environmental report was not ready, the council was unable to commit and the grant was withdrawn.

Mr Rice said: "They had to allocate the monies elsewhere, which left us with a shortfall in the funding. On that basis we decided we won't proceed."

The stream is an important habitat for rare wildlife, including wild flowers, kingfishers and a large population of water voles.

The scheme would have recreated natural channels and included the creation of wild flower glades, acquatic planting, dipping platforms and information panels.

Council leader Bob Fleming said: "It's disappointing. It would have been a good scheme, but unfortunately we couldn't continue with it."