WORK has started on a £260,000 scheme to improve a village's appearance.

But councillors look likely to reject a housing developer's plans to further enhance the area.

A programme to improve the eastern entrance of Thornley village, County Durham, was started by regeneration agency Groundwork East Durham this month.

Developments will include an avenue of trees along Hartlepool Street, a village entrance feature, an improved road junction, and block paving and trees at Galt and Asquith streets.

They are aimed at creating attractive, pedestrian-friendly routes. Work will be finished in the Spring.

The improvements are being funded by the European Union, the Government and Durham County Council, and follow a village appraisal in 2001, when local people identified sites in need of enhancement.

People are being warned to expect some disruption, with road and footpath closures and temporary diversions.

Michelle Macallam, landscape project officer at Groundwork East Durham, said: "The gateway improvement works are aimed at creating a really positive first impression of the village from its eastern entrance, and should prime this end of the village for future development and investment."

Plans have already been submitted to develop the north of the village, with J Gott applying for outline permission for housing.

The developer says the scheme would help regenerate the area, provide employment and enhance north Thornley's appearance by screening homes in Garden Terrace.

In a letter of support for the development, the headteacher of Thornley Primary School says it would address the population decline and increase school numbers.

But residents have submitted a 21-name petition and 11 letters of objection.

They say the proposed housing site, to the north of Garden Terrace, is green space and should not be developed; that there are plenty of more suitable sites; that wildlife would be affected; that residents' views would be blocked; and that properties would be devalued.

A report prepared for a meeting of Easington District Council, tomorrow, says: "It is considered that there is likely to be available previously developed land within Thornley coming forward for residential development within the near future, and accordingly, the applicant's justification of need for his proposal is not supported."

The report recommends that the application be refused.