A PARISH council is calling for a public inquiry into the continuing development of a village near Darlington.

The population of Middleton St George has increased from 1,800 to 5,000 in the past eight years.

An application to build 14 houses within the grounds of Thorntree House has sparked outrage among villagers, who say there are not enough amenities for more people.

The application also includes removing trees within a conservation area.

Middleton St George Parish Council wants the application to be called in for public inquiry by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Parish council chairman and ward councillor Doris Jones said: "Everyone feels very strongly about this and is expressing their concerns.

"This village cannot consume any more property. We are getting a new school built, but it is full before the first brick has been laid.

"We want them to look at the village as a whole not the planning application in isolation."

There have been at least ten housing developments in the village in recent years.

Villagers said services, such as the school, doctors and post office, cannot cope with the influx of people.

They said the roads are much busier than they used to be but no improvements have been made.

Concerns have also been expressed about the impact the felling of trees will have on wildlife.

Resident Alison Leach started a petition when she heard about the latest application from W Nunns Development and has collected 300 names.

She said: "We were horrified to find out they are going to demolish these listed trees, which have been there for 100 years.

"People feel that village life is being eroded by the development of housing.

"The look of the village is being destroyed and it is being turned into a giant housing estate."

Darlington Borough Council said it had received a planning application but had not yet decided when it would go to committee.

Developer Billy Nunns said: "Certain people have been misinformed about what is happening with the trees.

"There will be no visual impact as this development will be taking place within a private property."