A community campaign has helped overrule plans to build 75 new homes in a County Durham village. 

Housing developer Avant Homes had applied to build the mix of two, three and four-bed homes at a vacant site in Seaton, near Seaham. 

However its proposal failed to win the support of residents, who vehemently opposed the new development after 180 objection letters were submitted. 

They warned that the “uninspiring” estate’s inappropriate size would affect the character of Seaton and turn the tight-knit community village into a town.

Its proximity to the A19 motorway would also trouble new homeowners,they said, as people would be unable to open their windows due to traffic noise. 

Cllr Alyson Slater, of Seaton with Slingley Parish Council, said the development is inappropriate for the area.

She added: “Seaton village is small, rural, it’s unique. These houses are not. There’s been a large amount of development and the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with it. 

“The development remains completely inappropriate to Seaton village. It’s clear from the volume of objections, the strength of feeling throughout the entire parish that there is no desire whatsoever for this development. 

“Any development would blight the lives of the villagers; a village with a strong sense of community spirit. This would be eroded and the community should be embraced and protected as it’s a rare commodity these days.”

The application for the homes, off The Meadows, was reduced from 106 to 75 before the planning committee on Monday. 

Avant Homes said reducing the proposal by around 30 per cent would create more public space and added that the proposed site is located within reasonable walking distance of services in Seaton and nearby Seaham can be accessed via public transport. 

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A statement read: “It is considered that the development of this accessible and sustainable site will provide tangible social, environmental and economic benefits to Seaton and the surrounding area.”

But county councillor David McKenna branded the proposal “unwanted, unsustainable, unsuitable and unsafe” and backed Durham County Council’s planning department’s recommendation that the proposal was refused. 

Avant Homes' request to defer the proposal to consider further information was declined and councillors unanimously refused the application.