RESIDENTS fighting to prevent a housing development being built on the edge of their village are calling on the Government to help.

People inWest Rainton, near Durham City, are opposing an outline planning application to build up to 150 homes in fields skirting the south-west edge of the village.

Durham County Council’s county planning committee has granted permission despite the objections and the fact that it conflicts with planning policies.

Now villagers are asking Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles to call in the application.

This could result in a public enquiry being held at which the objectors could challenge the Labour-run council’s decision.

Social housing provider Tees Valley Housing is behind the application, which would see three, four and five-bedroomed detached and semi-detached homes and OAP bungalows built on the site along with community facilities. Thirty properties would be “affordable” homes.

The scheme would also entail improvements to the junction with the nearby A690 and a condition of the approval is that £250,000 is given for work at the Carrville junction of the A1(M).

There have been several applications to develop the site in the past. One for 193 homes was rejected in 2000.

More than 200 people have signed a letter requesting the application be called-in.

Wing Commander George Liston and Maria Liston wrote to Mr Pickles stating: “We feel the approval of this application is of national importance and is a matter for your attention.

“Had the agreed County Durham Plan been followed, this application would and should have been rejected; we believe that, if this development were to go ahead it would have serious and damaging consequences for the West Rainton and Leamside communities and the Durham Green Belt.

“We do very much believe that it is the national interest that this decision is called in, given the extent of the deviation from the agreed Country Durham Plan, and the impact on both residents and the green belt."

The objectors say the plan conflicts with the Durham Local Plan, is outside the village boundaries and on agricultural land and would result in housing development in the countryside.

They are also concerned that installing traffic lights

on the A690 would cause traffic problems and that the predicted demands for the housing is not there.

In granting permission, councillors said the development would provide needed affordable housing and Tees Valley Housing said it would boost the local economy.