VILLAGERS have launched a petition against their own councillor in protest at his plans for new homes.

The Burnopfield residents are against Derwentside District Councillor Robert Alderson's plans to build two homes on the site of allotments which, they argue, were once available to everyone.

So far 73 people from the small community have signed the petition, which they hope will persuade councillors on Derwentside's development control committee - of which Coun Alderson is a member - to knock-back the plan.

They argue the land to the rear of East View was effectively open space for everyone in the village before Coun Alderson and his business partner Robert Jackson acquired it.

Now they are trying to trace the ownership of what had been no-man's land, in the hope they can find an owner with another claim and prevent the two homes being built.

One of the East View residents, John Smith, said that as well as feeling they had lost out on access to the land, they were also worried about traffic.

He said: "There would be another access road to what is a very narrow lane right next to a school. We also think the look of the street would be altered for the worse.

"We have a lead that the Blackburn family once owned the land and are making investigations."

Coun Alderson, who used to work an allotment at the site, explained he had immediately declared his interest when he made his application - but declined to explain how he had come to own the land.

He said: "I am aware of this petition but I still have not spoken to them. This is an outline application and we are still investigating whether we would live in the homes or we could sell them.

"We don't know if we would built bungalows or another type of dwelling yet. I have no problem with people who live in the area objecting. I don't want to say anything about how we came to own the land at this stage because I don't want to prejudice discussions at the council."

Derwentside council's principle planning officer Darren Cuming said: "We await any objections and will consider them. Councillors are allowed to make planning applications the same as anybody else as long as they declare an interest and don't take part in discussions."

Councillors will discuss the plans on Thursday, July 27.