COUNCILLORS will meet this week to discuss plans for a controversial housing development in north Durham.

Outline plans have been submitted to build up to 168 residential dwellings on land west of Castlefields at Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street.

The proposed development also includes the creation of a new village community centre as well as terraced, semi detached and detached properties, town houses and executive homes.

Bournmoor Parish Council has objected to the plan because it infringes on greenbelt land and claims there  has been inadequate consultation.

A council spokesman told planners there are concerns about the "increase in traffic on local environment and the sustainability of the village as a community".

Bournmoor Residents Association has also objected to the "overdevelopment" of the village and Durham County Council has received 40 letters of protest.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England said: “This site is not included in the Local Plan and other sites have been suggested to meet the alleged demand.”

Durham Bird Club said there are numerous records for considerable numbers of curlew, golden plover and lapwing at the site and the ornithological assessment undertaken is ‘inadequate’.

A club spokesman said: “The site and surrounding area is important for birds.”

In a statement, applicant Helen McCall said: “The proposed development aims to provide an aspirational vision for housing in the region.

“The scheme strives to maximise sustainability, create an identifiable village centre with community benefits and create a thriving community that will greatly assist the viability of Bournmoor as a whole.”

Ann Rawlinson, senior planning officer at Durham County Council, has written a report for the planning committee, advising them to refuse planning permission when they meet on Thursday.

She said: “The application site is located beyond the established settlement limit of Bournmoor and on land defined as within the North Durham Greenbelt.

“The proposals are not considered to meet the tests of ‘exceptional circumstances’ required in order for planning permission to be granted in such a location.

“The location of the proposed development is considered unsustainable, in that a convenient, close and easily accessible pedestrian and cycle access cannot be provided to local services, facilities and public transport links, including bus routes, in order to reduce reliance on the car, contrary to policy.”