A DECISION about a controversial planning proposal has been deferred, so councillors can visit the site themselves.

People living in Middleton St George, near Darlington, have complained for years about how extra housing is affecting the character of the village.

On Wednesday, Darlington Borough councillors discussed whether to approve planning permission for a development of 34 houses and 32 flats on industrial land, north of Yarm Road, by Mandale Properties.

Residents say the roads and the village school will not be able to cope with the extra number of people moving in.

Members of the authority's planning applications committee will be told that the developer has agreed to make a financial contribution towards an extension to Middleton St George Primary School.

This would be needed because the school is already over-subscribed and this growth will continue until 2011.

Mandale Properties will also be asked to make a contribution to the cost of improving public transport links to the site.