DETAILED plans have been unveiled for a housing development on a greenfield site on the outskirts of Burnopfield.

Durham county councillors have already granted full planning permission to Barratt Homes for 75 houses on 2 hectares of land west of Syke Road, and near to the Lintz area of the settlement.

But the company pulled out of the development and Akenside Developments, which owns the land, has now submitted a subsequent application proposing to reduce the number of homes on the side to 49.

A new access will be created off Syke Road.

The plans comprise a mix of one to five-bed units in dwellings, bungalows and an apartment building.

This mix includes 40 detached family-style homes, as well as six apartments and three bungalows designed for the elderly.

Geoff Britton, a director at Akenside Developments said: “We didn’t want to do a Barratt scheme and had another look at it.

“We decided to concentrate on family homes for people that are moving to second or third time.

“We reduced to 40 homes and also have a six apartments and three bungalows geared towards the elderly.”

He added: “It will make a nice addition to the village of Burnopfield. We feel there is a gap in the market in the village, where there is a lot of low-value stock if two/three bedroom and very little four/five bedroom homes.

“Anyone who would like to upgrade and stay in the village and want to move into a bigger house there is limited choice for them.

“We are also concentrating on the green credentials and making the homes more energy efficient.”

When the site was first considered for housing landscape experts had been concern about the filling in of the natural glacial feature known as Boggle Hole, but is is not formally protected.

Mr Reay said, while a certain amount of earthworks needed to be done, developers will work with the topography of the land. Akenside Developments also has outline planning permission for 14-self build units. Detailed plans have yet to be submitted.