A COUNCILLOR described houses to be built in a village near Darlington as ugly and hideous.

Councillor Doris Jones, chairwoman of Middleton St George Parish Council, criticised plans to put five, three-storey town houses on the village's Station Garage site, in Salisbury Place.

She said the proposal from developers Clarion Homes Limited was unattractive and out of keeping with the area.

At the borough council's planning committee meeting Coun Jones said: "They will look quite ugly and hideous."

Her objection was backed by 22 letters from residents and a 36-name petition, which was sent to the council following two rounds of public consultation.

But the committee approved planning permission.

People's concerns related to over-development of the site, traffic congestion and a lack of parking.

Coun Jones said: "Nobody is against a development on this garage site in principle, they object to the development being proposed."

She said that the village's sewage system would not cope with more homes.

Planning officer Adrian Miller said the development, which will sit one metre higher than surrounding properties, would improve the appearance of the area and prevent the site from falling into dereliction.

Garage owner Simon Alsop, who set up in the village in 1983, said he approached Clarion Homes in the hope of selling the land after his business hit serious problems.

Coun Gerald Lee said: "It is simply too big, too bulky and certainly not in keeping with any houses."