RESIDENTS and councillors have been left disappointed at a decision to build either 38 or 49 houses at Thistleflat Farm, in Crook.

The Heather Lane Action Group, formed by residents of the Thistleflat Estate, have been fighting since 2005 to stop houses being built on Thistleflat Farm paddock, behind their gardens.

Wear Valley District councillors voted against the plans at two planning meetings, but the construction will begin after a successful appeal by landowner David Arkley to the Planning Inspectorate.

The action group presented Wear Valley District Council's development control committee with a 252-signature petition, saying the development would ruin their privacy and have an adverse impact on wildlife.

They also had concerns about traffic and rights of way via a public footpath on the land.

But a report by council officers said the Highways Authority raised no objections.

Ann Carrick, a member of the action group who has lived on the Thistleflat Estate for nine years, said: "The council have been great at helping us view our objections. The Thistleflat Estate is very unique and it will be a big shame to lose the beautiful land we have here.

"Crook is not an area which needs more housing. We are already saturated with developments."

Sandra Thompson, from Signet Planning, speaking on behalf of Mr Arkley, confirmed the development met all the criteria needed by the Government.

She said: "The building proposals for the site have always compiled with national and local policy, and have been upheld by the Planning Inspectorate and this final decision was made on April 27."

The application site forms an area of land that has historically been used as a paddock in connection with the farmhouse, which is at the north-west of the site.

Councillor Geoff Mowbray urged his colleagues to turn the plans down when they were announced last year, saying the site was grazing land and that there were other brownfield sites more suitable for development.

He said: "On behalf of all the residents, I would like to say what a great effort everybody made to stop these plans.

"Obviously, I am very disappointed at the inspector's decision to allow the appeal and I know the residents are unhappy about it, but at least we had the chance to express our thoughts."