A SPECIAL council meeting has been arranged after planning conditions for a controversial housing scheme were approved following a review by the planning inspectorate.

A scheme to build 198 houses on land to the rear of Grendon Gardens and High Stell, Middleton St George, was given approval with a variety of conditions by Darlington Borough Council but committee members blocked plans to have just one access point to the new estate.

However, developers Homes by Carlton launched an appeal to overturn the planning committee's decision.

As result of the ruling, Councillor Catherine Gilsenan, the chairwoman of Middleton St George Parish Council, said a special meeting had been called to discuss the ramifications.

"The developers now have permission to build the first 50 houses, with access via Grendon Gardens," she said. "The Parish Council will be convening a special meeting on Monday to discuss the High Stell development.

"In the meantime, today is the last day which objection letters can be submitted to Darlington Borough Council’s Footpath Diversion Order for the development site. This is a separate process to the planning application process for the site, and we would urge you to submit your letters as soon as possible."

The housing developer lodged three appeals following the planning committee's decision in January.

A site visit was made last month by the Planning Inspectorate and the conditions were overturned.

Outlining the reason for allowing the appeals, planning inspector Beverley Wilders said: "As planning permission has already been granted for the development of the site for housing, any comments made in relation to the principle of the development are not relevant in relation to these appeals which relate solely to the discharge of conditions.

"I note that the development and the various applications have generated a significant amount of interest locally with a number of concerns having been raised. Though I have had regard to the concerns raised regarding access, for the reasons stated above, it appears to me that it was always the intention that the development would be phased."

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place on Monday at 6.30pm in the Parish Council Meeting Room to consider the Planning Inspector’s decision.