A PLAN to build two houses near to a school in a Teesdale village are to be discussed next week.

Despite concerns that itcould increase traffic on the road next to Staindrop Primary School, planners at Teesdale District Council have recommended it for approval.

The two houses would be built behind 34 and 36 Front Street and Peter Slack, the council's head of housing and the community, has expressed concern that the development would increase traffic movement at Broumley Court, a sheltered housing unit.

He said the site gets congested already with relatives' vehicles as well as a problem twice a day when children are taken to and from school.

There were also concerns from Staindrop Parish Council about traffic at Swan Wynd.

The county archaeology officer said the site may have a high potential for archaeological features of regional or national significance relating to the early village.

However, planning officer Andrew Bishop has told councillors: "Swan Wynd is most heavily used at the start and the end of the school day.

"At other times of the day the traffic is very low, as it is not a through road and serves a few other users including a care home, a car restoration business and a farm.

"The two houses are unlikely to make any significant increase in traffic compared with these."

Teesdale's planning committee will discuss the matter on Wednesday, at 5.30pm.