COUNCILLORS are to allow the building of two houses in a dales conservation area following a site visit on Tuesday.

Perpendicular Homes wishes to erect the houses on land to the west of Woodbine Cottage at Low Side in Mickleton. Members of Teesdale District Council's planning south committee were minded to grant the application after hearing that the applicant had reached an agreement with a landowner at the opposite side of the road about the realignment of a drystone wall so that there was no longer a pinch-point near a garage.

The parish council raised no objection to the houses, but suggested that the arches of proposed garage doors should be of stone rather than brick.

The planning officer's report said considerations were finely balanced between allowing dwellings with regard for the residential limits of the village and the need to protect the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Coun Madeleine Walton welcomed the development to the lively and active village and was happy to move the planning officer's recommendation.

But Coun David Armstrong said he had difficulty with it. There was so much land in Mickleton which was within the residential limits.

Coun Walton responded by saying that villages should be allowed to expand. In her view this development was more important than any view which might possibly be lost.

Permission was granted subject to 12 conditions.