FIERCE opposition from impassioned villagers was not enough to halt a controversial planning application from being approved by councillors.

A single vote pushed a proposed Middleton St George development forward that could see a doctors’ surgery and 26 new homes being built off Yarm Road.

The site will be subject to further planning applications in the future. Concerned residents warned Darlington Borough Council’s Planning Applications Committee members that the plans are “pie in the sky”.

But a deciding vote cast by committee chairman, Councillor Paul Baldwin, saw the MHP Developments application approved during today's (May 4) Town Hall meeting.

Fears that developers could theoretically build a mix of three and four-bedroom homes and walk away from the site before setting up a surgery was the thrust behind a campaign against the proposals, led by ward councillor Doris Jones.

And further objections were summarised by planning officer, David Coates, including noise issues from a nearby depot and railway, over-subscription of schools in the area and hundreds of houses already in the pipeline for the village's landscape.

But the applicants argued that the imminent closure of Middleton St George’s Felix House Surgery – which serves about five per cent of the borough – made it vital that the plans were approved as quickly as possible.

However, an audible groan could be heard in the Council Chamber as Cllr Baldwin cast his vote in favour of the application after a 6-6 draw among committee members.

Cllr Jones said: “I want an application that’s relevant and suitable for the people of Middleton St George.

“I’ve spoken to NHS England and it’s them and their cheque book that will decide what happens to our surgery and where it’s built.

“There are three possible sites being looked at, but I know this one isn’t the preferable one.

“If I thought this was the only option to retain a surgery in Middleton St George, then I’d be pleading for it to be approved, but that is simply not the case.

“It’s scaremongering and pie in the sky to say we will be left without a surgery after Felix House closes as the NHS have assured me it won’t happen.”

An MHP Developments agent assured committee members and residents present that the housing aspect of the application was not “piggy-backing” on the surgery proposal.