PLANS for homes between two villages have won approval despite objections that the development will eat up a greenfield site.

Durham City Council's development control committee has given permission for 19 homes to be built on grazing land in Waterhouses.

A slightly smaller scheme was approved two years ago after being referred to the Government Office North-East because the site was outside the village boundary and was a departure from the council's local plan.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England objected, saying the proposal was contrary to planning guidance.

Two residents objected, saying the development was "out of scale and character with Waterhouses" and raising concerns about increased traffic.

The churchwardens and parochial church council also called for land next to the church to be used as a car park, as was planned originally .

A report to the committee said the development would join Waterhouses and Hamilton Row, which residents wanted.

Development control manager Allan Simpson said: "The car park shown on the originally submitted plan would have created a worthwhile community facility, closely associated with the development.

"The developer has asked however, for the application to be considered with a 19th unit now shown on this land."

The committee was told the developer had offered to pay towards the cost of community facilities in the area.