CAMPAIGNERS desperate to stop their village becoming “part of Darlington” have vowed to fight plans to build another 100 homes.

Hurworth Against Detrimental Development (HADD), which campaigned passionately last year to try and stop the building of dozens of new homes in the village, is to oppose the latest plans for 100

new family homes, which were submitted by The Banks Group last year.

During a meeting at The Mustard Tree in Hurworth on Wednesday night, campaigners admitted they had to be “realistic” and there was “fatigue” amongst them, but they vowed to do whatever it takes to get the best outcome for the village.

Judith Aston, chair of the meeting and spokesperson for HADD, said the campaigners would “still fight on every front”.

“Planning permission should wait until the first 100 homes have been built so we can see what the impact is and what is needed,” she said.

“If it does go ahead, we need to decide what we can do to limit the problems and get the best outcome for Hurworth.”

Residents at the meeting raised concerns about bus services, the huge volume of traffic in the village and shortage of school places, as well as the safety of children walking to school.

One resident added: “There were people who wanted the homes last time because they wanted a better home for their family.

“They have got those homes now with the first development so they don’t need this one.”

The developer considered the new site in its original plans for Hurworth, but did not include it in the final proposal last year due to perceived issues around the land’s geology.

“The developer said a year ago the land cannot be built on and will not be built on,” said Ms Aston.

But Banks said subsequent ground investigation has since revealed that areas of the land are suitable for housing.

Lewis Stokes, community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: “Our Roundhill Road development is raising a great deal of interest and we believe demand would be just as strong for this new scheme

In 2016, Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee approved the construction of the first 100 houses on the outskirts of the village.

That decision to allow the development, off Roundhill Road, brought tears from those fighting against the plans, with more than 200 formal objections.

The development is expected to come before Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee later this year.