RESIDENTS have three weeks to object to Hurworth Parish Council's plan to lease public land to a resident.

The parish council, as required by law, published its intention to lease the land to Gary Orpen on February 23.

The notice, which will also be published tomorrow, said: "Hurworth Parish Council hereby gives notice of its intention to lease an area of wooded land approximately ten metres by 110 metres on the eastern boundary of Hurworth Grange adjacent to Hurworth Cottage."

The parish council want to lease the "buffer zone" to Mr Orpen to prevent his legal action reaching court. He is angry at persistent nuisance behaviour near his house, and has threatened to sue both the parish council and Hurworth Community Association.

Objections must be made in writing to the parish council by Friday, March 23. If enough objections are received, a public meeting will be held.

The buffer zone would run near the woodland entrance in Croft Road, along the edge of Mr Orpen's property.

A new fence, paid for by Mr Orpen, would mark the boundary. A number of conditions would also be put on the lease, including no development or housing in the buffer zone.

Members of the public could still walk next to the football pitch.

Copies of the proposed zone can be seen at the parish council office, from 10am to 3pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.