GOVERNMENT officers have cleared a district council of acting improperly over a controversial housing development.

But angry residents say they have not given up their fight and are demanding improvements to a road they claim has worsened since builders moved in.

The local government ombudsman, Patricia Thomas, was responding to the calls of residents in Stanley, who said they had not been properly consulted about the Murray Park Estate.

Householders in Church Street, Kay Street and Ridley Street were angry that five more houses were added to the 108-home estate on a site previously chosen as a play area.

There were also concerns over the impact of the development, in terms of the raising of ground levels, the erection of a high boundary wall, and emergency access.

The developers, Bowey Homes and Dunelm Castle Homes, are building the estate on the former Murray Park greyhound stadium.

Ms Thomas, having investigated the complaints, found that the authority had complied with the appropriate regulations and legislation.

She ruled further that the council had taken fully into account the impacts of the proposed development upon neighbouring properties before determining the planning application.

Ms Thomas concluded that there was no evidence of maladministration and that, consequently, local residents had not suffered any disadvantage.

But Stanley Action Group Enterprise chairman Maureen Storey said: "Raising the level of the development and building a retaining wall has resulted in flooding of the road at the end of the three streets.

"We have to use it to turn around and it has become a big pond. We want the builders and council to do something about the road."

Council leader Alex Watson said: "I take great satisfaction with the judgement that clearly vindicates our decision-making process in planning which is transparent and accountable at every stage, although it will never be our intention to be complacent.

"Planning decisions in general are made in open forum with the opportunity for the public to put their views."

He added the district council could not do anything about the road as it was private land.

He suggested residents approach Durham County Council to have it adopted. To do so they would have to bring it up to highways standard first.

Coun Watson said there were grants available, but residents would have to make a contribution