AN application to build homes on allotments in a County Durham village has been refused by the Deputy Prime Minister John Pres-cott's office.

Sacriston Parish Council wanted to develop part of the land on Cross Lane allotments in the village, near Chester-le-Street.

However, an inspector from Mr Prescott's office found there was no evidence of a shortage of housing in Sacriston despite identifying a need for affordable homes.

A report to the council said the considerable benefits of the proposed development did not outweigh the loss of open space available to residents who may wish to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

The inspector, Karen McCabe, said the development would make a limited contribution to regener- ation in Sacriston.

A spokeswoman for Mr Prescott's office said: "The Secretary of State agrees with the inspector for the reasons she gives, in that any future development could be designed, laid out and landscaped in such a way as to minimise any loss of privacy for local residents.

"He also agrees that noise generated by the increase in traffic and other activity would be unlikely to unacceptably increase disturbance for existing residents.

"Weighed against the proposal is the harm that would be caused to the properly managed release of housing land in the context of giving priority to recycling previously developed land

"Allotment provision would be reduced without there having been a clear assessment or community consultation."

The parish council was disappointed with the decision and has agreed to hold a meeting later this month to discuss what to do with the land.

Clerk Colin Turnbull said: "It is unfortunate that the inspector chose to refuse the application.

"It is completely overgrown and it is being used as a bit of a dumping ground.

"What we are looking to do is to remove an eyesore and improve the environment and the surrounding area."