PLANS have been submitted for more than 230 homes on farmland on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland.

Avant Homes has submitted an application to Durham County Council for full planning permission for 122 dwellings and an outline element for 115 houses on arable land near the village of Woodhouses.

The project is part of a wider masterplan that includes LKA Development looking at up to 320 family homes for the south of the site, although this application has not yet been submitted.

Kenley Holdings has also expressed plans for a development containing about 180 new homes across the road.

At a recent public consultation event held at Bishop Auckland Football Club, 54 comments were received by Avant Homes in connection with traffic congestion, loss of amenity, impact on local facilities, the principle of development and ecology.

A further 15 comments were submitted to developers following this session and now a number of people have written to Durham County Council to express their objections.

Raymond and Sheila Stickells, who nearby at Etherley Moor, said: “The local schools, doctors, hospital and emergency services are all running at full capacity and cannot take on any increase in demand.

“As there are no plans on the table with these developments to include the building of any new facilities or the expansion of any current facilities, this will become a health and safety risk for local residents.”

Jill Simpson, of Etherley Dene, has written: “Greenfield sites should not be prioritised for housing developments over and above brownfield sites.

“This threatens the rural beauty of Bishop Auckland, poses a threat to the local health and well-being of residents who have even less greenspace in which to exercise.

“It also risks destroying much of the attractive landscape that is part of the Kynren offer to woo in future visitors and bring in economic benefits.

In planning documents, Avant Homes has looked at the issues raised and said public footpaths will be retained, a finanacial contribution could be given to create school places, the development is in line with the housing target for the area and assessments will be carried out to look at traffic congestion.