A HOUSING scheme on the edge of a leafy village has been passed despite a dispute over who owns the access to the controversial site.

Residents in Low Coniscliffe raised a number of objections to an application to build 37 homes on the outskirts of the village claiming it would ruin the uniqueness of the area and risks destroying Iron Age artefacts and impacting on the use of the Teesdale Way.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's planning committee were told that the village's parish council and the land owner were in a dispute over who owns the grass verge where the entrance to the scheme would be situated.

Peter Ellerton, who is a member of Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Parish Council, said: "Low Coniscliffe is a unique village in a unique setting – I'm sure members will have walked that area at times and if they haven't – they should.

"The village is unique and that is why it attracts thousands of people each year – it is one of Darlington's finest assets for the town."

Mark Armstrong, of the Low Coniscliffe Action Group, called on councillors to refuse the application as it could ruin an Iron Age burial site and said the dispute over land ownership meant any planning decision was futile as it was illegal.

The local authority's principal planning officer David Coates told members that scheme included seven affordable properties whilst reminding them that the application would be difficult to refuse due to the council's lack of an approved housing plan.

And planning consultant Steve Barker, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the scheme was sustainable and told members there was no dispute over land ownership – the applicant is the legal title holder.

He added: "I think this (application) is a well thought out plan and Low Coniscliffe has to take its fair share of new housing."

Parish councillor Christine McLay said the vast majority of residents opposed the scheme and remained to be convinced that it would bring any benefit to the village.

She said: "The lack of a five year housing plan should not be Carte Blanche to pepper the countryside with housing. The parish council and 85 per cent of residents are rightly concerned about the harm this development would have on the village."

Committee member, councillor Charles Johnson asked how much of the hedgerow would be removed to make way for the estate and was told it would only be the section required for vehicular access to the site.

The scheme was passed by six votes to three.