A COUNCILLOR has defended his support for a controversial village homes plan which was rejected this week.

Howden-le-Wear councillor John Bailey spoke in favour of Wimpey's scheme to build 55 homes on the site of Howden-le- Wear's allotments at a meeting of Wear Valley District Council's development control committee on Wednesday.

He was heckled by members of the public, who were unhappy after he urged fellow councillors to support the scheme - despite having chaired meetings aimed at saving the allotments and vowing to stand alongside protesters.

But Councillor Bailey yesterday insisted he believed the village needed new homes, and the new recreational facilities the development would have brought.

"As district councillor for Howden- le-Wear and Fir Tree, I always have and always will have my ward's best interests at heart," he said.

"When investors or developers want to help the area, everyone - and I mean everyone's - views have to be taken on board.

"Although I do not agree with endless building, I am not so narrow- minded to think that small villages can survive without new developments. It is happening in all areas of our district."

The council had received 337 letters of objection to the development, and a petition with 491 signatures. Opponents to the scheme said there was no need for new homes in Howden-le- Wear and that there was already too much traffic going though the village.

But at the meeting, Coun Bailey said 30 people had telephoned him and 45 people had stopped him in the street to say that the homes should be built.

Wimpey had pledged to create a £350,000 allotment site for the gardeners and provide £51,300 for the provision of a play area in the village if their application, for Station Road, had been successful.

Coun Bailey said: "I hope certain people realise that we have lost an area of new allotments which would have given allotment holders £350,000 in investment.

"Tears come to my eyes to think that our village has lost out on £51,300 for a deserved and long-awaited play area for our children. I will carry on and put in extra efforts to achieve a play area, but I do need support.

"I only hope that the people who protested against the development can come up with ideas to raise funds to make a broken dream come true for our youngsters."