VILLAGERS reacted with dismay when plans for houses in their village were unveiled days after they lost a fight against another development.

Plans for eight homes at Low Lathbury, Cotherstone, near to Barnard Castle, have been submitted to Durham County Council.

Applicant Partner Construction, which has an office at Spennymoor, wants to develop land near Fitzhugh Court, for a mix of two storey houses and bungalows.

Residents have protested at the scheme claiming that the houses are not needed as there are properties up for sale in the village.

Concerns have also been raised that there not enough jobs and inadequate public transport to cater for the proposal.

Last month the county council approved plans for 12 affordable homes in Low Lathbury despite residents raising a 100 name petition in protest.

Resident Ian Moorhouse said: “I think that the way things are going, the character of the village is just being swamped and that is a great shame.

“Who are they really helping? There is already about a dozen or 14 houses up for sale at the moment.

“I’m sure that Cotherstone Parish Council, other people and myself will be writing objections against the development.”

A decision on the application will be determined by the county council’s planning department in the near future.

To view the document online, visit teesdale.planning-register.co.uk