PLANS for an environmentally friendly housing estate have been rejected because of poor design.

The decision to refuse permission for the 112 house estate, initially dubbed an 'eco-village', has been hailed as a victory by local people.

The proposal for a futuristic development in Newton Aycliffe, included homes built with energy efficient materials, with low pitched zinc roofs, solar panels and large, south facing windows to make maximum use of the sun.

But residents on neighbouring estates said the homes would look out of character with surrounding houses.

The scheme was initially rejected by Sedgefield Borough Council because of road safety concerns, which led to an appeal by the applicants.

But those issues were solved and a second application made, leaving residents in the unusual position of putting the case for refusal themselves at a pubic inquiry.

Planning inspector Shelagh Bussey, who heard three days of evidence, has dismissed the appeal by the developers.

She said the scheme would be 'visually monotonous,' and unimaginative and that the uniform nature of the box-like houses would 'lack excitement.'

She also said the scheme would be too different from surrounding houses, adding: "It would stand in isolation rather than forming a distinctive, but complementary part of the estate."

Speaking on behalf of local residents, David Sutton-Lloyd said: "We simply wanted any property built to be of a high quality design that both occupants and neighbours would be proud of.

"We would now expect that the second planning application could no longer proceed, as it is based on the same revised plans rejected by the planning inspector.

"Sedgefield Borough Council should now reconsider how to use this site.

"Residents would welcome any opportunity to work with the borough council in the development of any future projects."

Michael Worrall, of developers Armstrong Worrall Project Management, said it was a disappointing outcome and the company would now be reconsidering its position.