COUNCILLORS have backed controversial plans for 22 holiday lodges in the picturesque north Durham countryside.

Plans for the development at Brancepeth Manor Farm, in West Brandon, near Durham, were approved at County Hall on Tuesday.

The application was submitted by Brancepeth Estates and was approved by the Durham County Council’s area planning committee.

The scheme will create 29 full time jobs in the area as well as 20 temporary construction jobs.

John Wyatt, of Signet Planning, who represented the applicant, said: “It is for a lodge development at the very top end of the holiday market for which there has been a specific need identified by the both the council’s tourism management planning committee and Tourism UK in this particular area.

“This has not only helped to address this need but will also generate substantial economic benefits to the local economy.”

But the proposals have angered residents who claim they will be affected by noise disruption and a loss of privacy, safety and security.

It was argued the development would spoil the tranquillity of the site and have an adverse impact on the landscape.

Residents are also concerned that the scheme would result in the devaluation of their properties.

The impact on highways is also considered to be a main issue with local people who fear there will be an increased volume of traffic.

The council received 28 letters of objection to the scheme.

Planning consultant Jennifer Hadland, who represented a group of residents, said: “The county council’s landscape department has concluded that proposal would have significant impact and visual effect on the local area and we fully support this assertion.

“The main reasons for this objection is the adverse impact it will have on open countryside, the unsustainable location, the adverse impact the scheme would have on neighbouring residents, the increased traffic and highways implications, the adverse impact the scheme would have in respect of noise and the adverse impact the scheme would have on public byway.”

The council’s senior planning officer Chris Baxter wrote a report advising members of the committee to back the development.

He said: “It is accepted that the site is in an unsustainable location however generally holiday accommodation of this nature is found in isolated sites.

“The proposed scheme would provide tourist accommodation which would attract tourists to the west of Durham City and thereby contributing to the economy of the surrounding area.

“To ensure the lodges do not become permanent residential accommodation, conditions are recommended which would restrict the lodges to holiday use only.”

Councillors voted nine to three in favour of the scheme.