MONTHS after celebrating the refusal of plans to build 120 houses on farmland, residents face the same proposal being given the go ahead.

The proposals are for outline planning permission for up to 120 homes on agricultural land of Mill Lane, in Sherburn village, near Durham.

An identical plan was turned down by Durham County Council last September because councillors said it would result in the significant loss of agricultural land and would harm the conservation area.

That result was met with joy by Sherburn villagers, but planners have now recommended that outline planning permission should be granted to the Church Commissioners for England, which owns the land.

An appeal and public inquiry was due to take place in July but the council announced it would not defend its decision because its reasons for refusal could not be supported.

Sherburn residents are furious at the plans, with almost 150 comments sent to the council opposing the development.

Horst Puschmann, of Orchard Drive, said: “How is it possible that such an overwhelming number of objections can just be ignored? Nobody wants this.

“Destroying a beautiful piece of agricultural landscape on the outskirts of a picturesque village, a piece of land that is much appreciated by the community at large, for no apparent reason: that cannot be the function of a council that has the interests of its residents at heart.”

A planning report, due to be considered at a County Planning Committee meeting on May 3, says: “The proposal has generated considerable public interest, with a significant number of letters of objection having been received.

“Concerns expressed regarding the proposal have been taken fully into account, and carefully balanced against the scheme’s wider social, economic and community benefits.

“However, they are not considered to raise issues that justify planning permission being withheld.”

Planners say the scheme would support local businesses as well as bring highway improvements.

If permission is granted, it has been suggested that developers should provide 20 per cent affordable housing and a financial contribution towards an extra classroom at Belmont Community School, street lights and public art in the area.

Sherburn County Councillor David Hall said: “I and residents are hopeful that Durham’s planning committee will see that the impacts of this proposal are too great, it is too over-crowded and is contrary to the Council’s own saved planning policies and our neighbourhood’s master plan for the area”.