VILLAGERS have voiced concerns over plans for 21 new homes in High Coniscliffe.

Fifty residents attended Tuesday night's public meeting to discuss a proposal for five terrace houses and a three-storey block of 16 flats on the former Dick Lawson garden machinery centre site.

Outline permission for a development was granted last year and a detailed application including landscaping, an access road and garages, has now been submitted to Darlington Borough Council by Kebbell Development of Watford.

Michael Brown, parish clerk, said the parish had not commented earlier because members felt the site would go for housing at some point.

"High Coniscliffe is described as a linear village and the front of the proposed site will have a row of terraced houses which will continue the principle of the village," he said.

Darlington Council had said carefully designed apartments and dwellings would be suitable.

"But the apartments are very small and the floor to ceiling height is smaller in size than in the houses," said Mr Brown.

Many residents were worried that the village sewerage system would not cope with the new homes. They also raised concerns over the height of the flats, road safety and access to the main A67 road.

Frank Stephenson, a resident, said the 21 additional dwellings amounted to about 20pc of the existing housing. He believed apartments would only encourage short-term residency.

"I have 30 years' experience in dealing with property and there aren't many people who live in small flats for the long term. The occupiers would be unlikely to contribute to the community life of the village," he said.

The last development in the village was 30 years ago when St Edwin's Close replaced some farm buildings.

One villager said he would prefer bungalows and houses on the site and another resident of 20 years had been shocked by the new plans.

"I just feel that the three-storey flats are not in keeping with the character of the village," he said, "They will ruin the area."

The parish council will pass residents' concerns to Darlington Council and ask to be informed of any developments.