A CONTROVERSIAL housing development would not harm the ecology or the historic environment of the area, expert witnesses have said.

Story Homes is currently appealing against Durham County Council’s decision to refuse permission to create 149 homes at Lanchester.

A public inquiry is underway at the village community centre and is regularly attended by about 100 residents opposed to the scheme.

Concerns over the plans, on the land north of Newbiggin Lane and west of Mount Park Drive, include the overdevelopment of the village, the impact on local resources and the flooding risk.

Chartered environmentalist Steven Betts, a partner at BCG Ecology, said: “It is anticipated the proposed habitat creation and enhancement work will appropriately mitigate impacts on birds and bats.

“Enhancement will give rise to gains in hedgerows, trees ponds and associated terrestrial habitat, and species-rich grassland.”

Niall Hammond, an archaeologist and environmental planning consultant, director of Archeo-Environment, said individual historic assets are largely of local interest and offer limited opportunities with investigation to contribute towards regional research opportunities.

He said: “Once mitigation is taken into account, the proposed scheme will cause no harm to any identified heritage assets, all of which are outside the scheme boundaries.”