RESIDENTS of a north Durham community have stepped up their campaign against plans for a housing development they say will deprive them of the only safe area for their children to play.

More than 500 people have joined a Facebook page set up by objectors to Persimmon Homes proposals to build on land adjacent to the Cherry Tree pub in Bradley Close, Urpeth Grange, Ouston.

They argue that development is out of keeping with the character of their estate, will create traffic safety problems, add to pressure on existing services and cause privacy issues.

Persimmon Homes applied to Durham County Council in July last year to build 79 properties on the 1.9 hectare site.

But despite now revising this to a smaller development of 63 properties, resident have vowed to fight on.

Objector Rebecca Wilkinson said: “It is only recreational area on the Urpeth Grange estate.

“There used to be swings, but the council took them away, leaving us with just a field.

“Now they want to sell that too. It is heavily used by people walking their dogs and is the only place children can play safely.

“The proposals are totally out of keeping with the existing properties.”

Resident Gayle Walker said: “St Benet’s RC Primary School is full and there are only four spare spaces in Ouston Primary School.

“What education chiefs say, based on consultation, is that an additional classroom would be required at Ouston Primary School.

“They amalgamated the junior and primary school last year, which meant the school had to be extended.

“To ask them to built another classroom would be unrealistic.”

Lisa Blondrage of Leyburn Close said under the revised plans the 2.5 storey properties have been removed from Bradley Close but not from next to properties in her street.

“The proposed properties will block out natural light to our properties and the rear of the town houses will look directly into my living room and both front bedrooms.”

She added: “In the Durham County Plan the original proposal was for 40 houses – 63 properties is still too dense.”

No-one was available for comment at Persimmon Homes today (Tuesday, February 24).

In its application, Persimmon Homes says the revised plans have allowed for larger plots with greater separation distances to existing homes, as well as more open space to the benefit of the scheme.

It adds that a 15m buffer strip has been incorporated to set the development away from Woodcock Wood, thus respecting the wildlife value of the wood.

A county council spokesman said the application had not yet been scheduled for a planning committee meeting.