PLANNING inspectors have overruled a council's decision to refuse plans for a housing development on 'green land'.

Wear Valley District Council's development control committee threw out an application by Broseley Homes for 74 dwellings off Old Hall Farm Road, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, last year.

The council told the developer the land was considered as green land and that there were other brownfield sites within the area that would be more appropriate.

There were also concerns from residents and ward councillors about access and traffic calming.

Broseley Homes appealed against the decision and Government inspectors have approved the application.

A report presented at the last meeting of Wear Valley District Council stated that the inspector said the council was "right to consider the application site was greenfield".

It also agreed that there were "a significant number of well-located brownfield sites in the urban area that are suitable for housing and do not have significant development constraints".

But the development was approved because inspectors felt the scheme "would add to the choice of housing within the Bishop Auckland urban area and assist in the meeting the region's housing requirement".

The report asked for some road changes to be made to cope with traffic.

But St Helen Auckland Councillor Margaret Douthwaite said that she and fellow councillor Peter Harker still had concerns about traffic access. She said: "That road is a very busy road and we have grave concerns and doubts about road safety."

A spokesperson for Broseley Homes said: "We are very pleased with the result of the appeal and this will now enable us to build quality homes at the right price for local people.''