RESIDENTS are hoping Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will stop a housing development in their village.

People living in Middleton St George, near Darlington, believe their village is already overdeveloped.

But a further 80 homes could be built if Mr Prescott grants planning permission for a development on the site of the former Brookside works of Durham Tube, which closed more than a year ago.

Because the site is not designated for housing in the Darlington Local Plan, Darlington Borough Council has to refer the application to Mr Prescott's Environment department.

Speaking at yesterday's planning applications committee, Middleton St George ward councillor, Doris Jones, urged councillors not to approve the development.

"The village is seriously over congested and we should look at the whole picture rather than isolated developments," she said.

Councillors were told that C M Yuill, which is seeking to build the detached three, four and five-bedroom houses, will have to pay £2m to bring the contaminated site into use.

Committee members said they were minded to approve the application.