PLANS to build 63 homes on open space next to a large estate could win planning approval this week.

Durham County councillors are being recommended to grant planning permission to Persimmon Homes for its proposed development at Urpeth, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street.

The company wants to build on land south-east of Bradley Close, a large grassed area that has been earmarked by planning officials as a future development site for 30 years.

It contains scrubland, grassland, and nearby are a woodland, a County Wildlife Site and several footpaths.

Urpeth was built from the 1960s around the site of the former Low Urpeth Colliery.

The recommendation to approve by senior planning officer Steve France will be considered by the council’s northern area planning committee on Thursday (March 26).

The company originally proposed 79 homes but has lowered the total of new homes it wants to build.

There would be a mix of detached, semi-detached and mid-link units with two, three and four bedrooms. Affordable housing would feature in the development.

Mr France says in his report that Urpeth Parish Council considers that more than 40 units - as suggested in planning policy blueprints - is overdevelopment.

It says the layout is inappropriate and that a 20m buffer zone is required for the adjacent woodland.

It has made longstanding representations for a play area on this land.

Residents have sent seven letters of objection, citing the size of the development, the loss of valued recreation land and elements of the layout and design.

Mr France says some people have raised concern about “social housing” being provided as part of the scheme.

The report says objectors feel: “The inclusion of social housing into a private housing community is not acceptable. The introduction of residents from areas of social deprivation will not promote a change in their behaviour, but simply create problems for the existing community due to anti-social behaviour.”

Mr France says that the balance of judgement lies with approving the scheme, which would provide modern family homes

Approval will be subject to a Section 106 agreement with the developer, which would ensure affordable housing is part of the scheme,

The company will have to pay £146,000 towards the cost of providing an extra primary school classroom to cater for the children of residents together with £63,000 for off-site play provision.