PLANS to build a house using permission granted over forty years ago can go ahead, councillors have ruled.

A planning application to build four detached houses in Burnopfield was granted in 1973 by Stanley Urban District Council, but only three were finished.

Now Barry Calver, who has inherited the land, has the go ahead to develop the land opposite The Larches.

The move has angered villagers who say the scheme is no longer suitable for the area.

Concerns includes the increased traffic and parking on a narrow road, Busty Bank, both during and after construction as well as the loss of privacy and heightened risk of flooding.

Resident Martin Donnelly, 40, who lives opposite the site, said: “The site is surrounded by two blind bends and will incorporate a pathway exiting into a blind bend with no pavement.

“If planning was permitted 41 years ago for four properties to be built in one go this should have no influence on developing one property in a now dangerous, difficult site 41 years later.”

Planning officers at Durham County Council had previously advised Mr Calver the proposal would not be recommended for approval under current planning laws.

But as the development was already started, four decades ago, all he needed was a Lawful Development Certificate from the authority.

Simon Lejeune, an agent representing Mr Calver, said: “It is within the built up area of Burnopfield. It is exactly the same as the houses next door. I feel it is an acceptable form of development.”

It was granted by the North Area Planning Committee at County Hall after members received special training before debating the issue.

Councillor Owen Temple said: “The training has convinced me of two things; that a developer can come back at any stage and complete the development and also that the law is an ass.”

Louisa Ollivere, the council’s planning officer, wrote a report for committee advising them to back the report.

She said that, on balance, the evidence submitted by the applicat, there was no legal impediment to the completion of the development.

Councillor Ivan Jewell said: “I feel very disappointed and can see how many of the residents are aggrieved. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I see this as a cynical approach to get around the issue.”