PLANS for a major housing development on a prime site on the edge of a town centre have come under fire from residents over fears about increased traffic.

Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) has applied for permission to build 84 homes on the former playing field at Manor Way, Peterlee.

The proposals by DVRC, a venture between Durham County Council and Keepmoat Homes, include a mix of two and three-bedroom family homes on the seven acre site.

County council ward councillor Audrey Laing said residents were concerned about the dangers of increased traffic and she had handed in a letter with 137 signatures to the council, on their behalf.

She said: “They just don’t want the development. Traffic is already horrendous along Manor Way.

“We also have a new Aldi store proposed on Yoden Way, which is going to add even more to the traffic.”

Keepmoat Homes land and partnerships director Ian Prescott, speaking on behalf of (DVRC) said: “The current access arrangements to the schools are constrained and far from adequate and we firmly believe that this proposal will radically improve the road safety situation.

“Extensive consultation has been carried out on this proposal, including an open public event, twice attending councillors’ ward surgeries and three meetings with the local schools involved. As a result, significant changes were made to the original proposals.”

These changes include no houses built to the south of the pedestrian access from Manor Way to the western gate of Dene House Primary school, drainage planned on the land to the south west of Dene House Primary school being deleted from the proposals, the incorporation of direct vehicle and pedestrian access from Yoden Way to the three schools, along with a protected vehicular right-hand turn now proposed on Yoden Way.

Mr Prescott said: “We feel that these proposals radically enhance road safety in the area and we believe that the heads of the high school and primary school also acknowledge this.

“However, we are still open to suggestions that may further enhance our proposals and would be happy to attend a further meeting with local people if it is felt that it would assist.”