PEOPLE who live near a £28m development site have raised concerns about the impact it is having on the environment.

Three large warehouses are being built at Drum Road Industrial Estate, near the A693, in Chester-le-Street.

Residents of Wear Lodge, which backs on to it, say the work is disrupting their lives.

Retired sales engineer Ed Watson, 63, said cement dust from the development is making their properties filthy.

He said: "It covers everything - like our windows and cars, and even gets inside the houses if the doors and windows are left open when it is hot.

"It is like there is a dust storm blowing over."

Mr Watson is also concerned about the impact on wildlife and the impact it is having on the site's ponds.

He said: "My objection is based on the fact that these have been in existence for as long as I have been aware, and are used by local wildlife such as coots, curlews and herons, to name but a few, as nesting sites and feeding points."

The Durham Wildlife Trust was informed and promised to ask Durham County Council to investigate.

Chester-le-Street District Council granted planning approval to Gladman Developments last year.

Stephen Reed, the council's acting planning services manager, said: "The original planning application was approved at planning committee in June 2006, after being subject to all the usual statutory consultations.

"This included consultation with the Environment Agency, which carefully considered the impact of the development in terms of drainage to the existing pond within the site."

Gladman plans to develop three warehouses, with the prospect of bringing 700 jobs.

The council has received an application to extend the scheme further and the matter is expected to be discussed at a planning committee in July.

No one from Gladman was available to comment when contacted by The Northern Echo.