PROPOSALS to build 73 new homes on a field and land on the outskirts of a village will be voted on by councillors today.

Two planning applications earmarking sites in Middleton St George for new homes, including bungalows and three-storey houses, will come before Darlington Borough Council’s Planning Application Committee at a meeting open to the public.

The plans concern a field off Yarm Road, Oak Tree, earmarked for 61 new homes, and land over the road opposite Acorn Close, proposed to take on 12 affordable bungalows and a convenience store.

Permission was granted for the Acorn Close site in April over plans to build ten detached houses and a small shop, however developers have since been revised their proposal to exclusively build two-bedroomed semi-detached bungalows.

Plans for the field opposite include 22 three-bedroomed and 39 four-bedroomed homes, with a mix of semi-detached and detached houses, varying between two and three storeys.

However, concerns have been raised by residents in the area requesting a noise assessment to be carried out at the site that is bound by the Darlington to Saltburn railway line to the north.

One resident's objection to the council said: "In addition to the movement noise of the regular trains, there is also a problem with exceedingly loud train horns because of a whistle-board located north of this site.

"If the development goes ahead it is likely that you will receive at least 60 more complaints about this noise disturbance which occurs at very unreasonable times and causes sleep disturbance sometimes as early 5.15am and continuing at regular intervals up to midnight."

Both applications will be heard in the Town Hall from 1.30pm today and are recommended for approval.