CLOSING statements have been made on the final day of a public inquiry into plans to create a housing estate on the edge of a village.

A decision over whether Story Homes will be allowed to create 149 homes on the edge of Lanchester is not expected until the summer.

Planning inspector Kay Sheffield is expected to rule once she has considered the evidence gathered at the hearing at Lanchester Community Centre, which started last week.

The house builder is appealing against Durham County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission following large scale opposition from villagers who are concerned about the overdevelopment of the village, the increased flood risk and the impact on amenities.

A spokesman for Lanchester Partnership and the Campaign to Protect Rural Lanchester said: “Lanchester is distinct from other settlements in having a Roman fort on its outskirts and a conservation area at its core. It is compact and contained by the landscape around it.

“It is thriving and lively and has a community that cares about its future and its historic assets.

“We reflect the view of a high proportion of the residents of Lanchester that this appeal should be dismissed.”

When the matter was heard at County Hall in Durham in June last year 1,357 residents opposed the scheme and planning officers recommended the application be refused.

Durham County Council’s barrister, John Hobson QC said: “The effect of the proposed development on the character of Lanchester and its surrounding countryside will be transformative and permanent.

“It would destroy an important part of the rural setting of Lanchester.

“It would be visible from within the village and from a number of important public vantage points.

“It would result in the incursion into the countryside beyond the present boundary of Lanchester replacing part of its rural setting with a suburban housing estate.”

The multi million pound housing plan consists of two to five bedroom homes on land north of Newbiggin Lane and west of Mount Park Drive.

Andrew Williamson, barrister for Story Homes, said work on the development could help to alleviate the existing flood risk and improve roads in the area.

He said: “The overall benefits that would arise from a grant of permission really are very substantial indeed. There are clearly some harms arising to the landscape from the loss of a green field.

“However, these harms would have to be found very much more significant than is justified on a proper balance to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed as a whole.”