COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead to a two housing developments that would result in the loss of an ancient glacial feature known as the Boggle Hole.

Landscape experts were concerned about the filling in of the natural feature on a greenfield site at Syke Road, Burnopfield, a Durham County Council area planning committee meeting was told.

But Boggle Hole was not formally protected and any adverse impacts were outweighed by the benefits of the housing, planning officers said.

Members granted full planning permission to Barratt Homes for 75 houses on 2 hectares of land, on the edge of Burnopfield.

Outline planning permission was also granted to a separate application from Akenside Development Company for 16 executive homes on a parcel of land adjoining it.

Outlining details of the larger development, senior planning officer Steve France said the site fell into an extensive glacial feature known as the Boggle Hole, before climbing steeply on to a plateau.

In order to prepare the land for development it would be heavily re-profiled, with plans to take the top off the plateau and use the earth to lift the height of the depression.

Mr France said: “The landscape officers are not pleased with the loss of the Boggle Hole, but it is noted that it is not designated or formally protected.

“The loss of the Boggle Hole must be considered in the planning balance, but the weight that can be given to it is severely compromised by its lack of formal designation or protection.”

Recommending approval, he added: “The adverse impacts, albeit there are some, do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits (of the development).

Mr France said the smaller development would comprise executive home and would complement the larger scheme.

Both sites will have access through a a protected right hand turn from Syke Road.