VILLAGERS are fighting plans to build new houses on open land close to their homes.

Gleeson Homes wants to build 24 homes, a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties, on a 1.62-acre plot south of Hawthorn Close, in Kimblesworth, off the A167 near Chester-le-Street.

The housebuilder says the site, which it has agreed to buy from Durham County Council, is in a residential area close to services and facilities and its proposals accord with planning policies.

Gleeson has applied to the council for full planning permission for the development and a planning committee is expected to make a decision on the scheme in the autumn.

But villagers living on nearby Sycamore Road, which would be the vehicular route into the new development, say they are concerned about road safety, traffic, noise and the loss of open space and of trees which they say soak up water from disused mine workings.

Resident Helen Vasey, who is organising opposition to the plans, said: “There are more suitable locations, i.e. land for sale by Durham County Council at Sacriston; land adjacent to the B6312 wherein a development could become part of the village without the negative impact and safety risks associated with this proposed plan.

“This development goes against a lot of the aims and ambitions of Durham council in providing altogether greener, altogether safer and altogether more cohesive communities.”

Bob Howe, who has lived on Sycamore Road for seven years, added: “They shouldn’t be building here. We already get water along the back of the houses.”

Villagers say the area is well used by children and there is a pigeon hut and allotment.

The site was formerly home to colliery houses, which have long since been demolished.

A spokeswoman for Gleeson Homes said: “Our proposal to build 24 new homes for local people is on land that was previously developed for housing.

“We intend to keep as many of the existing trees as possible and to enhance this very attractive community.”

A statutory public consultation on the application has begun, run by the council, and continues until Thursday, August 20. Further details can be found and comments can be made online through the council website, via durham.gov.uk/planning, using the planning reference DM/15/02340/FPA.