A COMPANY that wants to build a caravan site near a Durham village is facing a protest from the local community and conservation groups.

Holmside Leisure wants to create a site for 22 static caravans near Ornsby Hill, Lanchester, with car parking and an amenities building.

But Derwentside District Council has received a lot of opposition to the planning application.

Lanchester Parish Council was unanimous in its protest against the site.

A council spokesman said: "The proposed development would create a community three times in excess of what already exists in the area.

"We are concerned about the problems related to the provision of necessary sewerage and fresh water supplies to the site."

Durham Bat Group said the area formed part of a designated wildlife corridor and the site would effectively create a residential area within it.

It also claims the area is a bat-feeding site for the large numbers of Common Pipistrelle that roost in buildings in the area.

The council has received 16 letters of objection from people who live near the site.

This is the second time the application has been submitted and is a revised version.

Last year the firm wanted the go ahead for 28 statics and 21 touring caravans but permission was refused.

Derwentside District Council's environmental health department said the development would generate a lot of noise from the expected increase in traffic.

County Durham Highways Department said visibility on the A6076 was inadequate and a caravan site would be hazardous for road users.

Principal planning officer Fiona Clarke is advising the planning committee to refuse permission at its meeting this Thursday on the grounds of wildlife conservation and in the interests of road safety.

Ian Pick, of Acorus, the agent representing Holmside Leisure, said an independent report it had commissioned concluded that the woodland was of little ecological importance.

He said: "The planners objection is that the speed of traffic at the locality is greater than the 30mph limit.

"It is considered unfair that the applicant is being penalised by the planning authority for third parties breaking the speed limit on the A6076.

"The support of members of the planning committee is respectfully requested."