A BID to develop housing on land on the edge of a village is set to be rejected as it is considered it would represent, “a significant encroachment” into the countryside.

Dere Street Homes has applied to Durham County Council to develop 74 homes, 15-per cent of them “affordable bungalows”, on 11.5-acres of agricultural land on the western fringe of Langley Park.

The earmarked site, with proposed access from Low Moor Road, would sit between existing homes in Davis Crescent and Langley Park Cemetery.

It would be separated by a large remainder of an agricultural field from Blackburn Farm

Nine letters of objection have been received, citing among several reservations raised, the “inappropriate” extension of the village into the countryside, the impact on the Browney Valley, the compromise to local highway safety on Low Moor Road, the proximity to the cemetery and the fact there is ample land available for such development within Langley Park.

There are also said to be no places available in local schools, while it is already difficult for existing residents to reserve doctors’ appointments.

The site is also within an area designated of high landscape value, adjacent to the Lanchester Valley Walk, cycleway and wildlife “corridor”.

Dere Street Homes said the development would provide employment for 25 construction workers and 27 further spin-off jobs, and the company has also pledged to spend £155,00 on open spaces within the parish and on the maintenance of the old railway walkway, improvements to the footpath and public transport on Low Moor Road, plus enhanced drainage.

The council’s senior planning officer, Graham Blakey, conceded the site would extend Langley Park’s built development into the countryside and harm the local landscape, with, “particularly significant” short to medium term consequences.

But he said it would assist in maintaining housing land supply and deliverable housing, with indirect economic benefits within the locality, and the applicants pledged support for improvements to the local public transport infrastructure.

He added, however, that the benefits are considered to be, “significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harmful impacts upon the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and the particular qualities of the area of high landscape value,” of the site.

He, therefore, recommends members of the council’s planning committee to reject the scheme at Tuesday’s County Hall meeting .