AN application for a housing estate in Newton Aycliffe was approved by planning officials yesterday.

The site, in the Cobblers Hall area of town, was previously the subject of plans for the region's first eco-village.

Residents strongly opposed the plan, which would have created an environmentally friendly estate, for being out-of-character. The scheme was rejected after a public inquiry.

The new application, for 125 houses, was discussed by a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee yesterday.

No objections were received, but some concerns were raised, notably over a hedge that runs beside the site and is important for wildlife.

Planning officer Charlie Walton said the hedge could be safeguarded by imposing a planning condition.

Another concern surrounded the density of housing, a point raised in the meeting by Councillor Keith Henderson.

He said the Cobblers Hall brief stated that the density on the site should be no more than 30 houses per hectare, but because the figure for the scheme was 35 he would be objecting.

Mr Walton said the figure of 35 was within Government guidelines and added that the brief was due to be revised.

Members voted to approve the plan, with Coun Henderson the only objector.