PLANNING bosses have rejected plans to build on land near Bishop Auckland – even after the developer halved the proposed number of homes.

An outline application for 22 properties at Holme Farm, in Toft Hill, went before members of Durham County Council’s South and West Area Planning Committee on Thursday, October 18.

Plans had originally sought permission for 50 houses, before being reduced, while a previous application had sought to build 100 properties.

But it was still not enough to convince planning officers, who said it would cause an "unacceptable incursion into the countryside".

“This is the third application for a development on this site,” Councillor Heather Smith told the panel.

“It started as 100 homes, it was rejected by this panel – it has been scaled down further.

“The infrastructure of Toft Hill is stretched and cannot accommodate a development of this size.

“I haven’t met a single resident who is in favour and I don't think there’s any evidence of high demand for housing in this area.”

Councillors unanimously voted in favour to refuse the application.