A SCHEME to turn a former Second World War Women's Land Army base into a house was turned down by planning officials yesterday.

Members of Darlington Borough Council's planning committee refused permission for the proposed five-bedroom house, with six garages, stables, a swimming pool and gymnasium, at Beacon Hill Works, near Sadberge.

Council planning officer Julian Smith told councillors that there were industrial buildings on the site, accessed from the busy A66.

He said the site had a chequered past, having been used for haulage and land hire, and highlighted the traffic issues of accessing the site from the Darlington to Stockton road.

"It's not a site we would want to grant permission for a house at all really," he told the meeting.

"It's an exceptionally large development outside the village. I have mentioned the traffic hazards, and planning policy would not allow a dwelling there because it is outside the village and there is no agricultural or other justification for it."

Council leader, Councillor John Williams, said: "The clincher for me is road safety. Whenever I'm driving along there I see at least one Michael Schumacher. Cars travel amazingly fast in that location, and I just don't think this is on."