A FAMILY'S plans for their dream home will ruin a 150- year old house and blight a conservation area, say neighbours in Witton-le-Wear.

Villagers have criticised a decision to allow the proposals for Victoria House, saying that they are not in keeping with the conservation area.

The plans, which included two dormer windows and a slate and glass roof were approved by Wear Valley District Council's development control committee.

People in nearby Castleview, attended the planning meeting to urge councillors to reconsider the plans.

Bruce Henderson, from Castleview, said the extension would ruin his privacy and eliminate 30 per cent of one neighbour's light.

He said: "I would dearly love to develop my roof space but I am not even allowed to put an aerial up because I live in a conservation area.

"From my point of view it is alright for me to be overlooked, but it is not alright for me to overlook Victoria House.''

Mr Henderson and his neighbours also said the 3.4 metre by 10.8 metre dining room extension was not in keeping with the house.

He said: "I cannot understand how anybody can say that this extension, which is externally glass, will blend in with a 150-year-old house. My house is on a slope and this will look directly into my sitting room.

"It will also effect my other neighbours. Why should one family put forward a proposal to the detriment of three other families? But the decision is made and I don't think we can do anything about it now.''

Planning officers at Wear Valley District Council advised councillors that the proposals were in keeping with the age of the house and the conservation area.

They also said the alterations would not have an adverse effect on neighbouring properties.

The family said they had tried to accommodate neighbours when drawing up the plans, and had even altered them to try to ensure there was no loss of light to any of the other houses.

They said that the last thing they wanted to do was fall out with neighbours.