CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build 27 new homes on the outskirts of Darlington have been withdrawn.

Plans were drawn up to build the houses on Middleton Lane in Middleton St George.

However, despite amendments to the initial plans, the proposals have been retracted after officers recommended the application be refused.

An earlier application was withdrawn on the grounds that the site was partly located inside a conservation area but another propodal was submitted which was due to go before Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee in June.

However, council officers said the plans still had an “unacceptable impact” on the conservation area.

Doris Jones, ward councillor for Sadberge and Middleton St George, said: “Many residents have written to tell me they are very concerned about the development. They do not want to see houses built in the conservation area.

“We do not have the facilities in the village to deal with any more houses. The schools are already oversubscribed and traffic and the sewers can’t cope. It is not sustainable.

“It just does not make common sense. The village needs a sustainable development.”

Despite the withdrawal, there are still a number of planning applications being considered in Middleton St George.

In February, Darlington Borough Council approved the building of up to 200 new homes in the village, which are set to go ahead despite a campaign, backed by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, to have the decision re-examined.

Earlier this month, a controversial plan to see a doctor’s surgery and 26 new homes being built of Yarm Road was also approved thanks to a casting vote by Cllr Paul Baldwin, chairman of Darlington Borough Council’s planning applications committee.

Cllr Jones added: “The developers don’t care. Not just these developers, all developers. They don’t care about the quality of life for people who live in the village.

“The planning officers made the right decision on this development and I compliment them on coming to that decision.”

A council spokesperson said: “It was considered that the development would have an adverse impact on the conservation area.

“For this reason, and despite some negotiations with the developer, our planning officers were recommending that the application be refused. The developer requested that the application be withdrawn.” Jim Gordon, who was responsible for submitting the application, declined to comment.