CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after an application to build a housing estate on the edge of their village was rejected for a second time.

A planning inquiry has ruled against a bid by Story Homes to build 149 houses on farmland off Newbiggen Lane, in Lanchester.

Planning Inspector Kay Sheffield ruled the development “would result in significant harm to the character of the landscape.”

The company’s initial planning application was refused by Durham County Council in June last year, after more than 1300 residents of the village had lodged objections.

The company appealed against that decision and a two-week planning inquiry was held in April.

That inquiry has now published its judgement, ruling against the developers.

Pat Glass MP, who lives in the village and spoke against the application, said she was delighted by the decision.

She said: “Lanchester is a village which regularly floods and this would have added a huge number of houses and a huge amount of concrete on the boundary of the village to add to the flood risk.

“This was going to be a massive estate, extending the village boundary and therefore totally inappropriate”.

The MP said that since the initial application, planning permission had been refused for two further executive housing developments in the village, which is popular with commuters.

She added: “People just felt under siege in this village. There are some small pockets of land which are completely appropriate for development: we need housing for elderly people, we need affordable housing, but developers only seem to be interested in huge estates of executive homes.”

Sarah Armstrong, head of land and planning at Story Homes, said the company was “incredibly disappointed” with the decision.

She said: “We maintain that our planned development of high quality family homes within a landscape-led scheme would have complemented the existing character of the area, and brought with it substantial benefits to the village, in addition to helping Durham County Council meet its demonstrable need for new housing.

“The proposals would have had a positive impact on the local economy by providing contractors with opportunities to tender for work, and subsequent benefits for local businesses and services.

“It has also been acknowledged that this scheme would have made a significant contribution toward alleviating flooding in the village, which is ongoing concern for the community”.

She added: “Story Homes will now consider its position and next steps.”