PLANNING officers are recommending that councillors reject proposals for homes for over-55s on the outskirts of a north Durham village on the grounds they will be an “unacceptable encroachment into the countryside”.

Durham County Council area planning committee north will consider an application by Holmside Developments for 28 homes on land to the north of St Johns Mews, Burnhope, next Thursday.

The plans include six affordable units - one of which would be reserved for a warden/caretaker for the the development.

. In 2007, an outline application by Barratt Homes for 39 dwellings was refused on the basis that it was outside the village development limit and in open countryside.

There were objections from 14 properties, with highway concerns among the issues raised.

In its submission to the committee Holmside developments says: “We began pre-application consultation with officers on this scheme approximately five years ago and this is the third application that has been lodged; two previous applications having been withdrawn.

“Our proposal for a bespoke development of bungalows for elderly persons appeared to us to have been supported by Officers, in principle, and our discussions over the last five years were held on that basis.”

The company adds: “The scheme we have now developed is a very high-quality bespoke scheme providing a category of housing that is in high demand and short supply.”

Planning officers say the development would “compromise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside”.