A DECISION on building a new housing estate has been postponed following an 11th-hour petition by villagers.

Cheviot Holdings is seeking planning permission to build 73 homes on land near Fulforth Way, in Sacriston and a decision was due to be made by members of Durham County Council’s north area planning committee meeting at County Hall on Thursday.

However, councillors heard that a petition had been presented to the council the day before the meeting, signed by 106 residents and supported by local members, objecting to the detail of the proposal.

The meeting was told that, while residents were broadly in favour of the development, they were concerned about access roads into the new estate.

Developers proposed three access roads, but residents said they feared it would create a “rat run” through the estate.

They also expressed concerns that one of the access roads would emerge at a junction opposite the village school where a school crossing patrol reported there had recently been several “near misses”.

Councillors agreed to defer a decision on the application until they had visited the site to see the road lay-out for themselves.

Members added that the delay would give more time for talks between developers and residents to resolve outstanding issues.