GOVERNMENT officers are to investigate claims that a council has acted improperly over a controversial housing development.

Officials from the Local Government Ombudsman have answered the calls of residents in Stanley, who believe they were not properly consulted about the Murray Park estate.

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

The land level for the extra homes has been raised and a boundary wall up to five metres high is being erected only yards from the ends of the three streets.

Developers Bowey Homes and Dunelm Castle Homes are building the estate on the former Murray Park greyhound stadium site.

Work started on the wall last month, despite the fact that the council has still not granted consent.

Residents believe that officers at Derwentside District Council acted improperly to ensure planning permission for the extra homes was pushed through.

Only four households were directly informed about the proposed extra houses.

Two letters of objection were sent in by residents, but were treated as observations by planners. This allowed the planning officers to grant permission in July under their delegated powers, without going before the development control committee.

Yesterday, more than 20 householders waving placards turned out as the committee made a site visit.

A final decision on the wall will be made next month.