PLANS to build six executive homes outside a growing village have been rejected.

The proposals for land at Brackenhill House, Brackenhill Avenue, Shotton Colliery, met with an angry response from nearby residents and were quashed by nine votes to one at a Durham County Council planning meeting.

The developers originally wanted to build nine houses but cut back their plans to six.

However, villagers say the area is one of outstanding natural beauty, home to various different types of wildlife.

The Edderacres local nature reserve is nearby.

Local county councillor Eunice Huntington said there was a restrictive covenant on the land.

Further, house sales in the area were struggling and it seemed Shotton had reached “saturation point”, she said.

Councillor John Lethbridge said the area was an incredibly sensitive part of County Durham and an important area.

He seconded a motion from Cllr Bill Moir that the committee go against the recommendation of their planning officers and refuse consent for the development on environmental grounds.

Afterwards, resident George Hoban said: “We’re naturally very pleased that the building work will not be going ahead.

“The area is unsuitable due to the amount of wildlife that lives there.

“The area should not be destroyed for the sheer purpose of making profits. There are many houses being built in nearby places – we don’t want them here.”