PLANS for a funeral parlour have been approved, despite objections from neighbouring residents.

Derwentside District Council's development control committee agreed to grant permission for David Forster to expand his business by developing a chapel of rest in a bungalow in Coniscliffe Road, Oxhill, Stanley.

Planning officer Fiona Clarke recommended approval, even though there had been more than 60 letters of objection.

She told members that local opposition was not a good enough reason to refuse planning permission and that any loading or unloading of coffins would take place away from public view.

Members of the committee were told that one couple had said they would be not want to use their garden, knowing what was going on over the wall.

The presence of the funeral parlour would also be depressing to elderly residents living on the nearby Pea Farm Estate, it was claimed.

Raymond Ives, of the Pea Farm Residents' Association, said: "A business like this would be more suited to an industrial unit. This is a residential area. The business would be out of keeping with this, and there are many other commercial premises in Stanley which could be used."

Mr Forster said he ran a small family firm in nearby Annfield Plain and he assured residents they would only see coffins when a hearse left to go to a funeral.

Durham County Counci'sl highways authority had no objections.