CONTROVERSIAL housing plans have been given the go-ahead despite objections from dozens of villagers.

Proposals were lodged to demolish garages on land to the rear of Linden Terrace, Coxhoe, to make way for new homes.

Following concerns from residents, a bid for nine buildings was reduced to five, two bungalows and a terrace of three-storey homes.

Despite this, Coxhoe Parish Council continued to object to the plans with a 99-signature petition in opposition also submitted to Durham County Council.

This week the area planning committee discussed the outline application following a request by Coxhoe division councillors.

A statement from applicant, David Head, stressed the  garages on site were an “eyesore” and at high risk of collapsing during the next winter period.

However, concerns were raised about the large amount of elderly residents living in the area and the impact of three-storey homes in terms of privacy and overshadowing.

Although details of scale, appearance and design will be decided at a later stage, councillors called for assurances over the types of housing on site.

Coxhoe Councillor Stuart Dunn told the meeting a bungalow-only development would be more likely to be accepted by the community.

He also questioned the need for the plans, noting hundreds of homes planned in housing developments across the Coxhoe area.

Fellow division member, Cllr Jan Blakey, added she had “grave concerns” about the suitability of three-storey homes in a “bungalow development.”

She said: “The effect on the surrounding people, some of who have been there for a number of years, has been very negative.”

Planning officers, recommending the plans for approval, said the site was appropriate for development with no concerns about the impact on the road network.

The application was approved with a majority vote and is likely to return to the committee in future where final details will be agreed.