An appeal has been lodged after the council refused plans to build a house near a listed County Durham building.

Durham County Council denied the proposal - put forward by P and C Chapman - following 43 objections from residents concerned about the modern design’s impact on the historical environment around Mill House, a Grade II listed building in Hamsterley.

The site, close to ancient woodland, also raised ecological concerns, with fears about the effect on local wildlife and the ecosystem.

Highway safety worries were highlighted due to Mill Farm Road, the main access route, being described as narrow, unlit, and leading to a dead end, prompting concerns about increased traffic.

The local sewage network, already overloaded, was another sticking point, with residents worried about its ability to handle more pressure from a new home.

Planned removal of a significant number of trees, valued for their ecological and environmental importance, was another major issue.

Proposals also faced objections from various statutory bodies.

The Highway Authority flagged up the site's lack of easy access to services, facilities, and sustainable transport options, as well as the risk of vehicle-pedestrian conflict on Mill Farm Road.

Durham County Council's landscape team objected to the development in the countryside, citing concerns about the harm to irreplaceable habitats, while the council's trees team opposed the removal of 12 mature trees.

The spatial policy team objected due to a conflict with the County Durham Plan.

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They noted that the proposal did not fit within an existing built-up area or meet exceptions for development in the countryside.

Durham County Council's design and conservation team, however, had no objections, saying the design was appropriate in terms of materials and context.

The environmental health team also had no objections, provided appropriate conditions were put in place during construction.

Proposals were ultimately considered unsustainable due to their failure to meet locational, ecological, and highway safety criteria.

Concerns about the loss of valuable trees and the impact on the wider landscape also contributed to the decision to refuse the application.

Applicants can appeal a decision to refuse a planning application within six months of the council turning the application down.