AN application to build housing on farmland next to a village has been rejected after more than 1,300 residents wrote to object to the scheme.

Story Homes applied for planning permission to build 149 houses on the outskirts of Lanchester.

But the application was rejected by councillors today, who heard that local MP Pat Glass, Lanchester Parish Council and 1,357 residents had lodged formal objections to the scheme.

The company wanted to build the homes on open countryside on the edge of the popular County Durham village, close to Newbiggin Lane.

However, planning officers recommended the application on the eight-hectare greenfield site be refused.

Senior planning officer Henry Jones told members of Durham County Council’s County Planning Committee, sitting at County Hall today: “The proposal represents a significant incursion into the countryside.”

The application was for a mix of two to five bedroom properties, 94 of which would be detached and 20 per cent of which would be classed as affordable homes.

In a written statement to the committee, MP Pat Glass raised objections to the proposed development on grounds of flood risk, traffic and the strain it would place on public services, particularly school places.

Cllr Mike Wardle, of Lanchester Parish Council, said: “A development of this scale seriously threatens to destroy the very things which render Lanchester an important asset to the whole county.”

Local member Cllr Ossie Johnson said: “This is not a case of the people of Lanchester being Nimbies, there has been a large amount of social housing approved in the village recently, but I believe it is development in open countryside which would harm the landscape of North West Durham and have a negative impact on the surrounding area”.

Resident Elaine Hogg pointed out that Lanchester had flooded four times since 2000 and a considerable amount of money was being spent on flood defence schemes for the village, a situation she said could be worsened if there was further development on farmland above the community.

She said: “We are not convinced that the flooding issues have been satisfactorily concluded.

“This development would harm the ambience of our conservation area, allow housing to sprawl across the countryside and have an impact on flooding.

“It would forever blight the Durham landscape.”

Sandra Manson, for Story Homes, described the development as “a high quality, landscape-led proposal” which would meet housing needs within the county.

However, members of the committee voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.

Cllr Paul Taylor said: “It is out of scale and proportion for this beautiful village, its encroachment into the countryside and I think it’s a non-starter”.