FURTHER details of a controversial housing scheme are to be debated by councillors next week.

Outline planning permission has already been granted for a 271-home housing development on 27 acres of farmland near the village of Browney, west of Durham City.

Now developers Banks Property are going back to Durham County Council seeking permission for some reserved details of the scheme, including issues such as landscaping, layout and house design.

Villagers opposed to the initial application formed the Keep Browney Small action group and raised a 200-name petition against the proposal, which was granted outline planning permission in March.

The development will be a mix of 21 two-bedroomed houses, 109 three-bedroomed houses and 141 four-bedroomed houses.

Most will be two storeys high, but there will be a small number of two-and-a-half storeys or three storeys. The council’s design officers have raised some concerns over plans for the location of three-storey units and plans have since been amended following consultation with the developers.

Access to the site will be off Browney Lane and councillors will be asked to consider the alignment of the road leading into the estate.

The parish council is objecting to the proposals, claiming it would lead to traffic congestion and arguing the decision to approve outline planning permission should be reconsidered due to highways issues.

They have also raised concerns over the number of parking places to be created as part of the development.

Members of Durham County Council’s County Planning Committee will debate the application when they meet at County Hall on Tuesday (January 6).