COUNCILLORS have approved two planning applications to create 70 homes in Derwentside.

Gladedale is to build 23 houses near the community centre, in Fairview Terrace, Annfield Plain.

The developer will also build 47 properties near The Chequers, in Templetown, Consett. They will be a mixture of two and three bedroomed terraced, semi-detached and detached houses.

The planning applications were approved at a recent meeting of Derwentside District Council's development control committee.

It is the second submission of the Annfield Plain development application. The first was refused by the committee in March.

Members were told that three letters of objection had been received from people who live near the site. They feared the development would harm the view of properties in Fairview Terrace and lead to a loss of privacy.

Concerns were also raised about more cars exacerbating problems with parking and making it difficult for buses to get through.

Residents said it had always been a greenfield site, but senior area planning officer Shaun Wells said it was not easy to define the site's status specifically because it was in "poor form, undulating with waste material and rubble on it".

He wrote a report urging members to back the scheme.

Mr Wells said: "The previous decision of the committee for refusal is noted and respected.

"However, officers remain of the opinion that the proposal would be appropriate to the existing form and pattern of development within the settlement, and would allow for a natural and logical continuation of linear development along Fairview terrace, and as such, on balance, the proposal is considered acceptable."

The council received no letters of objection to the development in Consett from neighbouring properties, although Templetown Residents' Association said the project was too large.

Concerns were raised about the provision of children's play areas, road safety issues and congestion.

Senior planning officer Ann Rawlinson advised councillors to back the scheme.

She said: "It is felt that residential development will enhance the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area."