PEOPLE have bedecked their homes in banners and posters to protest against plans for mini-store and food takeway near their homes.

People living in Collingwood Street, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, close to where the store and two food outlets would be built, say that their quality of life will be ruined if the development is approved.

Katherine Hopper, who lives in the street, said: "The last thing that Coundon needs is another takeaway.''

She said that the volume of traffic, litter and noise pollution generated by the business would make people's lives a misery.

Plans for a 279 square metre retail outlet and two takeaway shops both of 140sq m, were discussed by Wear Valley District Council's development control committee earlier this month.

There is a petrol station on the proposed site, but that would be demolished to make way for the shops.

The council's planning officers have recommended approval of the plans, but after protests from residents councillors decided to hold a site visit before making their decision.

Representatives of the committee visited the petrol station in Collingwood Street yesterday, to be greeted by residents and the banners.

Businessman Bob Jackson has been running Universal Home Supplies in Collingwood Street for 30 years.

The business has been passed down the generations of his family and is more than 100 years old.

He said that existing shops in the former mining village were already struggling and the new store would be the final straw for many.

He said: "It is not just me. All the village shops are struggling to survive. Coundon has been left to stagnate.''

Mr Jackson's store has been boarded up for about nine years because it has suffered so much vandalism that he cannot get insurance to replace the windows.

He said: "The council has looked at how this will affect shops in Bishop Auckland. That is two miles away. What about those in Coundon itself? What they are doing goes against the local plan for the area."