SCORES of residents are opposed to plans by Heighington Parish Council to build a sports field and pavilion.

Last week, planning approval was given for the development in a field in Hall Lane, despite 109 letters of objection.

Conditions attached to the plans included lowering the changing rooms into the ground by two to three feet and that the height of the security fence must be discussed with Darlington Council's planning department.

But on Thursday, at the annual parish meeting, villagers opposed to the scheme criticised the council for more than two hours and demanded a public meeting.

The parish said it had the support of the majority of the village, based on a survey it carried out in 2001, when 70pc of people said they wanted changing facilities and an improved playing surface.

But resident Arthur Marshall said another survey had been carried out by objectors. It found that more than 80pc of respondents did not support the plans.

Objectors were unhappy about the parish council's intention to apply to the Football Foundation for funding.

They fear that the sports field will become too football orientated and that funding could lock the village into a complicated 21-year deal.

One resident said: "The village might have to pay a significant financial outlay or lose the field that they fought so long to obtain."

People complained that the 40-space car park was too big, but the parish council said that it would also be used as a netball and basketball court.

Ward and parish councillor Gerald Lee accepted that the conditions were onerous, but said that the council would cautiously look at the grant's implications before committing to anything.

Villagers said that they were eager to raise the funds for the development themselves rather than receiving funding from a larger authority.