AN MP has thrown his weight behind campaigners objecting to revised plans for a crematorium next to a beauty spot.

Dignity Plc’s proposals to build a single-storey, state-of-the-art crematorium near the former Castle Eden Brewery, in east Durham, were rejected by Durham county councillors in April 2014.

The plans had already been criticised as putting at risk Castle Eden Dene, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Castle Eden conservation area.

Concerns were also raised over traffic safety and that the peace and quiet of the proposed chapel and memorial garden could be rudely interrupted by miscued drives from the neighbouring Castle Eden Golf Club.

The company, which lost an appeal, has now submitted revised plans, arguing it has addressed the concerns.

Dozens of letters of objection, have been lodged with the council’s planning portal, arguing the concerns remained the same.

Urging the council to reject the plans, Easington MP Grahame Morris wrote: "Castle Eden is a small village that already experiences problems with heavy traffic flows.

"It has been highlighted that traffic wishing to turn onto the A181 is backed up on to the A19 which has led to a number of accidents and near misses.

"It is felt that the developers have significantly underestimated the additional volume of traffic that would be generated by this application and it is also considered that the local road infrastructure would be unable to safely accommodate these additional vehicles."

A spokesman for Dignity said: “Following consultation with Durham County Council and the local police we believe we have comprehensively addressed the original objections made by the planning inspector. “We are now proposing to install a vehicle barrier at the start of the lane - a second barrier at the entrance to the crematorium and CCTV.

“The revised plans also show that Gardens of Remembrance would be relocated from the rear of the crematorium building to other areas of the grounds to prevent any danger to the public from stray golf balls at the neighbouring golf course.”

“The planning inspector had no other objections.”

Cllr Rob Crute and Cllr Lynn Pounder, who represents the area on the county council, said: “We are particularly angered that the developers consider it acceptable to resubmit an almost identical application so soon after it was refused by the planning committee and subsequently dismissed by the national planning inspector.”

Peterlee Town Council said residents of the town would benefit from the service and easy access of a local crematoria.