DEVELOPERS of a proposed "eco-village" are to meet objectors in an effort to allay fears.

People living on the Cobblers Hall Estate, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, have set up a committee of 12 to fight plans for a self-sufficient village they have called a 21st Century pit village. Sedgefield Borough Council and developer Aire Design will meet the principal objectors today to explain the project, called Hall Gardens.

Douglas Clelland, of Aire Design, said: "Since the submission of the planning application, there has been positive interest in the project, but also voluble concerns.

"None of these concerns are based either on fact or on the actual proposals themselves."

He added: "The proposals seek to deliver a place where everyone will live in a pleasant environment with conditions to allow them to live in harmony with their neighbours in housing that has low maintenance costs."

Professor Clelland confirmed that an exhibition of the proposals is planned and said each resident would be told about plans for long-term sustainability and encouraged to participate in the developing community.

He said: "The overarching objective for the scheme has been to design and deliver a sustainable development.

Sustainability is a local process of ensuring the wise use of resources in which environmental, social, economic and cultural factors are integrated.

"In this proposal's context, sustainability means well-built, environmentally sound and popular houses that enhance the social, economic and cultural value of Cobblers Hall."